Airport Authority – five years without ad valorem tax assessments

Edward R. Wuellner, Executive Director of the St. Augustine ‐ St. Johns County Airport Authority, reported that at last night’s meeting, the members voted not to assess ad valorem taxes.

The Authority made the fifth year of self-sustenance official during the final public hearing on their budget held at the airport’s Conference Center. The Authority adopted a final budget of $13.3 million for the upcoming 2014-15 fiscal year.

“Following a very busy year wherein commercial airline service was reintroduced at Northeast Florida Regional Airport by Frontier Airlines, we are again excited to be able to adopt another zero-property-tax budget”, says Robert Cox, Chairman of the Airport Authority.

Making up nearly one-quarter of the Authority’s Budget in the ensuing year are several planned capital projects aimed at finishing a multi-year airport rehabilitation at the Northeast Florida Regional Airport. This project is being majority funded by the Federal Aviation Administration through a grant exclusively facilitated by aviation fuel users and airline passenger ticket taxes.

“This year’s budget represents a significant milestone in operating the airport for the community’s benefit without the need for local tax dollars,” Kelly Barrera, Airport Authority Secretary-Treasurer commented. “We look forward to continuing the strong fiscal performance of Northeast Florida Regional Airport. We are grateful to the FAA and FDOT, as well as, Rep. Ron DeSantis for his continued support of the airport as a vital community and economic asset.”