Airport Authority approves budget, drops fees

Another $16,624 in revenue is generated by fuel farm rental ($2,004), fuel flow fees ($11,000), late fees ($1,000), interest income ($1,200), fees and permits ($1,490.) Airport operations are budgeted at $75,100, with $60,000 of that going to airfield ($20,000) and building ($30,000) maintenance and terminal repair ($10,000.) Gas, oil and vehicle maintenance is projected at $10,000; janitorial supplies, herbicides, equipment and tools at $5,100.

Some $81,574 is budgeted for general operations and administrative costs, with over half ($40,450) going to utilities that include: electricity, water, sewer, gas, waste removal. Legal fees (from prior, not current litigation, Holliday said) accounts for $24,000. Other expenses include: phone and cell phones ($5,700); marketing ($3,020); dues, memberships, entertainment, meals and travel ($2,700); office supplies and postage ($1,500); Dish and WIFI service ($1,064) and $3,140 in other miscellaneous expenses. Insurance is budgeted at $10,100.

The payroll allotment for the airport’s two employees, the office manager and operations manager, is $98,662.

REDUCED TIE-DOWN FEES

The authority reduced (airplane) tie-down fees at the airport from $45 per month for all aircraft to $25 per month for single engine and $35 per month for twin-engine airplanes.

“We’re trying to compete with other airports in the area and attract aircraft,” Holliday said. “Barrow County gets ad valorem tax on every plane that’s based at the airport for 180 days or more…Based on (a plane appraised at) $50,000, that’s $580 in property tax for this county…If we can get 10 extra planes (new tie-down tenants), that’s an additional $5,800 for the county and the schools.”

In addition, new tie-down tenants provide the “multiplier” of increased fuel purchases, sales tax, and maintenance and repair fees paid, Holliday said.