Schuylkill County Commissioners approved a budget adjustment of $50,000 for the Schuylkill County Airport Authority Wednesday.

Commissioners Barron “Boots” Hetherington and Gary Hess approved the change. Commissioner George Halcovage Jr. was at a scheduled hearing in courtroom four of the courthouse.

“I think the airport is important,” Hetherington said after the meeting.

Gaming revenue funds will pay for the contribution, Hetherington said. The county might provide additional funding at a later date, he said.

“We may have to,” Hetherington said.

Bill Willard, airport manager, said previously the authority has “operational budget constraints.” He cited insurance costs that are “more than our operating budget,” increasing fuel and electric costs.

County Administrator Gary Bender said members of the authority called previously to request funding. Bender said additional financial help has been requested but not granted yet.

Commissioners voted last week to forgive an interest payment of $5,056 from the authority but said they might not be as receptive next time. In November, a $20,293 amount of principal and interest loan payment was forgiven for the authority.

The original loan amount was for $400,000 in 2013 for building a new hangar at the airport.