Friday, September 03, 1999

County proposes sharing airport costs

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4 communities would help Butler pay for projects

BY STEVE KEMME
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        HAMILTON — Butler County has designed a proposal to share the cost of two capital improvement projects at the Hamilton-Fairfield Airport with four communities.

        Under this plan, the county would shoulder 25 percent of the estimated $1.2 million cost of a new terminal building and a glide-slope device that helps approaching planes descend at an appropriate angle. Hamilton, Fairfield and Union Township each would pay 23 percent, while Fairfield Township would pay 6 percent.

        County Commissioner Courtney Combs said he was encouraged by the reaction to the proposal at a meeting this week of representatives of those four communities.

        “It was very positive,” he said. “We based the percentages on population.”

        This new development in the airport's finances comes less than three weeks after Hamilton rejected a proposal to be equal partners with the county in financing and managing the airport.

        At that time, Hamilton officials were angry with the county commissioners for taking steps to change the airport's name to the Butler County Regional Airport without consulting them. They said they didn't think they could work with county officials in operating the airport.

        “I think there has been some progress made,” said Hamilton Mayor Tom Nye. “We have always advocated that this (air port) is a real jewel that we have here in Butler County.”

        Representatives of the other three communities also said they value the airport and are hopeful they can work out an agreement with the county.

        “Right now I think it's come a long way toward where our elected officials were hoping it would come,” said Fairfield City Manager Arthur Pizzano.

        Union Township Trustee Tom Hayden said he has not yet seen the proposal in writing, but he approves of the concept.

        “The airport is an asset we should support,” he said. “It should be a regional effort.”

        If the four communities agree to the proposal, it will relieve Butler County from bearing the entire financial burden for the airport.

        The county, which would manage the airport, would pay the costs of the terminal building and the glide-slope device. Hamilton and Fairfield and Union and Fairfield townships would reimburse the county over about three years.

        “It was good to see everyone at the table discussing what's in the best interest of the Butler County region,” Fairfield Township Trustee Joe McAbee said. “That's something we'll have to see if we can afford.”

        Mr. Combs said he hopes the four communities vote on the proposal by the end of this month.

        Last year, the airport made $10 million in improvements. Local officials say it has become an increasingly important tool in attracting new businesses to the county.

        The county plans to hire a new airport administrator by the end of September. Thirty people have applied for the job. Doug Hammon, former airport administrator, resigned in July.

        Dave Eck contributed to this report.

       

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