It turn out the latest consultant hired to help secure air service for Alpena County Regional Airport could charge as much as $25,000.

The Alpena Municipal Council and county commissioners recently agreed to split the cost of the consultant’s retainer fee of $4,900.

Attorney Bill Pfeifer was asked to look over the contract before the city signed on the dotted line.  He suggested Monday night, the county also sign the agreement since the two municipalities are splitting the cost. 

In addition, he noted that travel related and printing costs could bump the price above $4,900.  And, if the consultant were to perform all the duties listed in the contract, the city and county would be on the hook for as much as $25,000, although Mayor Matt Waligora doesn’t expect that to happen.

Members of city council want the consultant to notify them once the retainer is nearly used up.  County chairman Cam Habermehl was in attendance at Monday night’s meeting and said he wanted the same notification at which time commissioners would decide if they want to spend more money on the effort.  City council will do the same. 

Waligora praised the consultant for his work, his knowledge and his contacts inside the airline industry.

Habermehl has no problem with the county also signing the agreement with the consultant, but his fellow commissioners must agree before that happens.