Airport Authority wants to rebuild its cash reserves

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Although the bottom line at Falcon Field will be bolstered by $10,000 a month in the near future, Peachtree City's Airport Authority is being cautious in its consideration of its latest six-month budget.

While the authority wants to boost its cash reserve, now at almost $36,000, it also wants to evaluate its revenues to try and boost Falcon Field's income. The additional $10,000 a month will come from increased hotel-motel tax revenues.

The budget was presented to the authority at its meeting Wednesday night although it was not considered for official adoption as the authority considered proposals for employee raises in executive session.

The authority did not vote on either of two pay raise plans offered by Airport Manager Jim Savage. The airport has six full-time and nine part-time employees, Savage said.

Savage said Thursday morning that the authority wants to place a premium on building the cash reserve back up although it wants to make payroll changes also.

During Wednesday's meeting, authority chair Cathy Nelmes said she was concerned about the status of the reserve fund and wanted to build it back up for the airport's future.

Authority member Jerry Cobb also indicated getting the reserve back up is key.

"I am very uncomfortable with it under $45,000," Cobb said.

The authority will consider the budget at its next meeting.

In other business, the authority approved a change in the process in which checks are signed for operating expenses up to $5,000. Previously the checks required two signatures from any of four people: Savage and three authorized members of the authority.

Nelmes said she felt the "two signature" process didn't provide much in the way of a check and balance system on expenditures.

Now, checks for operating expenses up to $5,000 will need only one signature. Instead, a list of all checks paid will be printed and kept along with each invoice for payment, which will make the expenditures easier to review, Cobb said.

Authority members also agreed to set up a promotional booth for the airport at the Wings Over Dixie Air Show and Festival that's scheduled for Sept. 8-9.

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