DENMARK TOWNSHIP — The Ashtabula County Airport Authority voted unanimously Monday afternoon to rescind an earlier resolution that would have closed the airport today.
The authority, citing mounting debt and a sour economy that has reduced revenues, last month voted to close the airport today if help was not forthcoming. Ashtabula County commissioners responded with an infusion of money and a commitment to continue that support, which gave authority members the confidence they needed to continue operations.
“We did what we said we’d do and have every intention to do what we said we we’ll do,” Commissioner Joseph Moroski told the board when asked if the county’s support would be sustained. “We’ll give you some place in the budget. We got to find a way to keep this thing open until things turn around.”
“We’re back in business,” said authority president Dave Price after the board voted.
During the special meeting, Betty Johns, secretary/treasurer for the board, reported that the county had paid the authority’s invoice of $55,305, which was needed to bring the airport current on its bond-fund payments, real estate taxes, employee health care premiums and other obligations. Johns said some June bills are outstanding, but she is projecting the airport will carry about $8,000 over into July. The airport is facing some large fuel bills that will require about $37,000 in July.
The summer months are the airport’s strongest for revenue, which comes from hangar fees and fuel sales. The airport has experienced a decrease in revenue due to the recession and fewer people flying and renting hangars.
The authority has an $82,000 bond payment for new hangar construction due in October, and it must set aside money to ensure the money will be there when due, said Johns.
Given the uncertain economy, she can’t say how much more money the authority will need to request from commissioners before the end of the year.
Closing the airport, touted as an economic development tool, simply isn’t an option, say commissioners. The county would still be responsible for the $1.2-million loan for the hangars. But that’s just the beginning.
Price told the authority members that a recent letter from the Federal Aviation Administration pointed out that the county would immediately become responsible for the repayment of the $4.4 million the airport received between 1982 and 2009 through federal Airport Improvement Program grants.
The letter noted that the FAA invested the money because it believes the airport “serves an important aeronautical need.”
Board member Louise Raffa said the airport is transportation infrastructure and worthy of public support.
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