Saturday, July 03, 1999
Airport seeks options, partners to fund projects
BY STEVE KEMME
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — As it grows in size and sophistication, the Hamilton-Fairfield Airport is trying to broaden its revenue base.
For years, a partnership consisting of Butler County, Hamilton and Fairfield provided the local financial support for the airport, which straddles the two cities.
But Fairfield's resignation as a partner last year because of high airport costs has spurred Butler County and Hamilton to try to convince more communities to contribute money to the airport.
Fairfield is leaning toward re-entering the partnership, and Union, Fairfield and Liberty townships are considering playing financial roles.
“The county wants to take a regional approach to the airport,” Butler County Commissioner Courtney Combs said. “The airport needs to be regional in its financing.”
The more communities that contribute to the airport, the lighter the financial burden will be on each.
As the airport has improved and grown, it has become an increasingly important tool for
luring businesses to Butler County.
Last year, the airport made $10 million in improvements, including lengthening and widening the runway, building a new taxiway, replacing and relocating fuel tanks, tearing down the deteriorating terminal and moving utilities that were too close to the runway.
This year, the airport plans to build a corporate taxiway and three taxiways for the new T-hangars, T-shaped shelters for small airplanes owned by individuals.
Fairfield City Manager Art Pizzano said Fairfield officials are pleased by the county's response to its concerns about the high costs of being a partner and the makeup of the Butler County Regional Airport Authority, the airport's governing body.
Fairfield officials thought the eight-member airport authority board was too large and did not properly represent municipalities in southern Butler County.
In May, the airport authority board resigned at the request of the county commissioners. A new governing board will be established after new partners join the airport authority.
In the absence of a board, airport Administrator Doug Hammon, who is leaving July 29 to become airport director for Ohio State University, is answering directly to County Administrator Derek Conklin.
Butler County is close to reaching a new partnership agreement with Hamilton, Mayor Tom Nye said.
He said he hopes other communities join the partnership.
“If they bring money to the table, that will make me sit up and take notice,” he said.
Hamilton Councilman Richard Holzberger said he would welcome Fairfield back to the airport authority, but he hopes it's permanent.
“I'm willing to offer Fairfield an olive branch if they're willing to come back into the fold,” he said. “However, I'm tired of them playing the same old tune, "The Hokey-Pokey.' Sometimes, they're in and sometimes the're out.”
Hamilton Councilman Fred Southard wants the city to consider all its options, including withdrawing from the partnership or taking over the airport.
But he conceded that a regional sharing of airport costs and benefits makes a lot of sense.
“I am concerned about the potential for the airport to become a political football,” he said.
But Mr. Nye said a task force composed of Hamilton and Fairfield officials have been meeting regularly to discuss many issues, including the airport.
“It doesn't make lot of sense for neighbors to be bickering with each other,” he said.
All new partners would have to contribute to the purchase of a glideslope device, which has a price tag of $300,000 to $600,000. A glideslope is a radio signal that helps approaching airplanes descend at an appropriate angle. The airport also needs a new terminal.
There were 65,000 landings and takeoffs at the airport last year. Those using the airport spend about $8.2 million per year in Butler, airport officials said.
“The airport benefits the whole county,” Mr. Hammon said. “There's a lot to be said for getting more input and more financial support from more communities.”
Janice Morse contributed to this report.
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