Executive Director of the Northeast Florida Regional Airport, Edward R. Wuellner, announced to Historic City News today that a final budget of $9,528,133 was adopted by the St. Augustine – St. Johns County Airport Authority; but, the good news is that the Airport operations remain self-sustaining.
During last night’s final public hearing, held at the airport’s Conference Center, there were no protestors or tax reform demonstrators as have been visible in other steps of this year’s county-wide budget process.
The reason is likely that the elected members of the Airport Authority voted to adopt a “zero” millage resolution; choosing not to assess ad valorem taxes for the upcoming 2015-16 fiscal year.
“We are excited to be able to again demonstrate our commitment to remaining off of local taxes,” says Suzanne Green, Chairman of the Airport Authority. “This marks the fifth consecutive year that we have been able to approve a budget that does not require ad valorem taxes.”
No ad valorem taxes for local taxpayers doesn’t mean that there won’t be spending at the airport. Several planned capital projects aimed at enhancing the airline passenger experience and enhancing flight safety at the Northeast Florida Regional Airport, make up nearly one-third of the Authority’s budget.
These important projects receive the majority of their funding from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation through grants from aviation user trust funds.
“The Aviation Trust Fund is an essential funding component of airport capital projects throughout the nation and 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,” Chairman Green added.
The facilities remain arguably the area’s largest potential economic driver as St Johns County continues the search to attract low impact, sustainable employers to the region.
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