by Kathy Foster
Tri-County Airport Authority Secretary Ross Statham met with Washington County Commissioners Wednesday morning to update the BOCC on what is taking place within the Authority. He noted the following:
- The Authority has begun the process of moving from a 15-member board to a 9-member board.
- The Authority has begun the process of obtaining a new four-letter airport identifier from the FAA.
- The Authority has begun the process of obtaining a new ‘discrete airport frequency’
- The Authority has reached agreement with Enterprize and Hertz to provide rental cars.
- The Authority has submitted Washington County motels and restaurants to a major pilot app
- The Authority has added an automated weather to the FAA official listing.
He said this had all been done with the expectations of attracting more activity to the airport.
Statham stressed that the Airport Authority is fiscally healthy and fully compliant with all federal, state and local agency requirements. Additionally he said they receive funding primarily from the Florida Department of Transportation, The Federal Aviation Administration, Fuel Sales and Hanger Rents.
The BOCC also took the following action on other agenda items:
- State Financial Assistance Recipient Agreement for Mosquito Control.
- Approved purchase of a 2014 Dodge Ram Truck for Fire Services.
- Approved a Maintenance Contract for the Library Systems with Hometown Heating and Cooling. The agreement covers nine units within the various county-owned public libraries being check every six months.
Kevin Parker in his FEMA update reported to commissioners that cleanup work is continuing following Hurricane Michael, but added that “it is going to be a long stretched-out process”.