BUHL - A skydiving drop zone in Buhl is closer to fruition.

The City Council on Monday unanimously approved Paul and Denise Janes' skydiving operation at the Buhl Municipal Airport.

"We feel they should be offered the opportunity to come down," said Airport Commission Chairman Bob Squire.

As part of the deal, the Caldwell couple, who own and operate Skydown Sport Skydiving in Caldwell, would be allowed to lease the building at the airport for $250 a month. They would be required to have a mechanic who could support all operations at the airport.

"We're excited," said Denise Janes. "This is a step in the right direction."

Officials are excited about thrill seekers possibly making Buhl their destination.

"We hope that those who come to skydive stop in Buhl," said Mayor Charles Sheridan. "Our hope is that the skydiving operation creates a boost to our economy."

The Janes will enter into contract negotiations with the city to iron out the details, and hope to begin skydiving in March.

In other council news, city engineer Scott Bybee told the council that the city was contacted by Idaho Community Block Grant personnel about their grant application.

They wanted to know why Buhl was applying for a $500,000 grant this year when the water project wasn't expected to go to bid until spring 2008, Bybee said.

He said the city would like to push the process ahead because it could save Buhl hundreds of thousands of dollars in inflation costs.

Times-News correspondent Blair Koch can be reached by e-mail at blairkoch@gmail.com or by calling 316-2607.