BEEVILLE — City Council members voted Tuesday evening to authorize the release of $100,000 of 4B sales tax funds to the Bee Development Authority.

The grant will help pay for the installation of a satellite navigational system for the Chase Field Industrial and Airport Complex.

BDA Executive Director Joe B. Montez explained that both the Beeville Economic Improvement Corporation board and the council had voted previously to approve the grant.

He said the BEIC board authorized the release of the funds during a May 24 meeting at City Hall.

Montez said the Global Positioning System equipment will allow pilots flying into Chase Field to use instrument flight rules (IFR) to locate the runway and land there.

Currently, pilots arriving at Chase must use visual flight rules (VFR) when approaching and landing there.

Montez told the council that the Federal Aviation Administration will design and maintain the system for Chase Field.

The entire installation is expected to cost $186,000.