Wednesday, April 25, 2001
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Wednesday, April 25, 2001 |
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Authority changes commercial access fees to spur business at Falcon Field By JOHN MUNFORD
The Peachtree City Airport Authority is revising the fees it charges to businesses both on and off airport property for the right to use Falcon Field. Previously, the authority charged businesses 2 percent of the business's gross profits. The authority was also allowed to check the businesses' records to insure the airport was being compensated appropriately. Local aviation businessmen claim that practice has kept businesses from locating at or near the airport. At a special called meeting Thursday afternoon, the Airport Authority voted to drop that fee structure. The move was met by applause from several business owners on hand who gave their input to the authority during the meeting. To replace the commercial fee structure, the authority adopted a policy calling for the off-airport access fees (also called through the fence agreements) to be based on the square footage of the businesses' hangars and apron area. The fee was set at 20 cents per square foot, but it will be adjusted to the Consumer Price Index every three years. The authority also agreed to throw out the 2 percent gross profit fee for on-airport businesses, although it declined to immediately set a new fee structure. Indications were that the on-airport fee would likely be different for certain hangar areas, with a higher rate at hangars designed for commercial use. That way, the authority can differentiate between commercial businesses and private owners who rent out hangar space for aircraft storage at a much smaller profit. Airport Manager Jim Savage said the increased price for commercial hangars would likely be at Hangar Area B, which is near completion. The fees would be set largely based upon the costs of the airport to improve the property and prepare it for hangars and other free-standing buildings, he said. Current businesses that are leasing land on the airport from the authority, will be allowed to sign up for the new fee structure once the authority settles on a concrete number. Authority Chairwoman Catherine Nelmes said the on-airport fee would be "appropriate and competitive," but she noted that there are no other airports in Georgia similar to Falcon Field which are so close to Hartsfield International Airport. Authority member Jerry Cobb said the fees are designed not so the authority can turn a profit on the airport operations. The fees are used to help make Falcon Field self-sufficient and less dependent on the city for funding, he said. Officials hope the new fees will attract more aviation-related business to the airport area, which in turn will help keep the airport's finances in good shape.
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