The Laurinburg-Maxton Airport is still on track to get it's runway repaved, according to the engineering firm coordinating the project.

Representatives from W.K. Dickson told airport commissioners this week that construction could begin by early September if the july 11 deadline for bids is met.

The work will include pulverizing the concrete runway and placing asphalt on top of it. The change will allow the Maxton runway to handle larger aircraft.

In other business, the board has named Gary Gallman to replace board member Wayne Morris.

Morris, a former board chairman, is leaving the airport at the conclusion of his three-year term on June 30.

Chairman Ella Morris, a Laurinburg appointment to the board, was reappointed, but will no longer chair the commission. The commissioners are expected to name Maxton Commissioner Chip Morton to replace her. The chairmanship traditionally rotates on an annual basis between appointments from Laurinburg and Maxton, the municipalities that oversee the airport.

In other business:

• Interim Executive Director JoAnn Gentry told airport commissioners that there will be a July 6 meeting between BRAC officials and airport representatives in an effort to pitch the airport to the military. The airport hopes that Fort Bragg will use it's facilities.

• Mickey Oxendine, head of the water and waste water plants, told commissioners that the treatment facility passed it's June toxicity test and has been placed back on the quarterly test cycle.

• The commission unanimously approved a contract with Anderson Smith & Wike PLLC for auditing services at a cost of between $8,250 and $9,750. The airport's prior auditor, Dixon Hughes PLLC, had a bid of $10,000 to provide the same services. The commission also retained attorney Terry Garner by unanimous vote. This will be his 26th year working for the airport commission.