Proposed Fernandina Beach Airport Budget for FY 2014-15

3fbaSubmitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
June 26, 2014 1:00 a.m.

As acting airport manager, City Manager Joe Gerrity has informed Fernandina Beach City Commissioners (FBCC) and the public that next year’s revenue projections for the airport remain steady, reflecting a continuation of policies and activities of the current year.  Gerrity was the lead off presenter during the FBCC’s first budget workshop held on June 24, 2014.  The airport’s budget for the current fiscal year, ending September 30, is $2,914,400, but it is projected to come in at $2,819,100.  Gerrity presented a budget proposed for FY2014/15 at  $3,064,500.

1airport fy14-15The large increase in revenue reflects a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) grant in the amount of $1,750,000.  The major project planned for next fiscal year is updating the airport’s Master Plan.  This activity has been fully funded by the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) and FDOT with no city match required.

Personnel costs will rise about 28 percent.  Gerrity has proposed elevating Bobby Kozakoff, currently Airport Operations Specialist, to a new position:  Airport Operations Manager.  He is also proposing adding a part time position to handle certain other day-to-day airport matters that Kozakoff will not be asked to perform.  The airport manager position will remain unfilled.  Gerrity said that the airport is “building a war chest”—a reference to a $618K contingency reserve, partly funded by not filling the airport manager position.

FDOT Study of Fernandina Beach Airport (area rated poor indicated in orange)
FDOT Study of Fernandina Beach Airport (area rated poor indicated in orange)

Gerrity reported that the airport recently underwent an FDOT review and came away in good shape.  The only area not rated satisfactory or good is the area rated poor bordering the McGill FBO, slated for improvements soon.

DSCN2911In response to commissioner questions, Gerrity reported that Brian Echard, owner of Eight Flags Aviation (8FA), a second FBO interested in operating at the municipal airport, has not yet executed a lease with the city.  Gerrity informed commissioners that he has not added projected revenue from either 8FA or Black Pearl Enterprises into the airport’s proposed budget.  Gerrity said that he had advised Echard not to move forward until Echard completed a Phase 2 environmental study of the proposed lease area.  Gerrity said that he wanted no surprises after the lease is signed, citing recent experience in uncovering an undocumented garbage dump on another portion of airport land.

Commissioner Corbett asked if there was a statute of limitations for Echard’s signing a lease.  City Attorney Tammi Bach said there was not.  Bach added that Echard has been permitted to access the property to do his inspections.  It was the consensus of the FBCC that Gerrity ask Echard the status of the Phase 2 study and determine his intent to move forward on the lease.

Suanne ThammEditor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.

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Lou Goldman
Lou Goldman (@guest_19976)
9 years ago

Contrary to City Manager Gerrity’s comments – if, just if, we had a full time airport manager, a manager trained in airport management, we might have a larger contingency reserve. The City Manager would then be a full time City Manager and the City could eliminate the Deputy City Manager position and we might be dollars ahead in both the Airport Fund and the City general fund.
Just saying………………..

Andrew J.Curtin
Andrew J.Curtin(@bkdriverajcgmail-com)
9 years ago

Well,Lou,considering that Mr.Gerrity’s compensation package is more modest than his predecessor’s and that most of Mr.McCrary’s was already in place as CDD head,I’d say the present arrangement is working out well for the airport.My guess is much of the $618K results from not paying a full time manager.We certainly don’t need to grow government-they’re doing enough of that in Washington

Louis Goldman
Louis Goldman(@lgoldmngmail-com)
9 years ago

Andy, apparently you have complexity missed the point. If you check the City’s website you will find that Adrienne Burke is the director of
CDD and Marshall now has a newly created job as Deputy City Manager that probably pays more than the full time airport manager was receiving, The bottom line is that instead of full time airport manager and full time City manager we now have a part time airport manager and a part time City manager. My feeling is that both of those jobs deserve full time managers and there is a possibility that a full time airport manager could have increased the airport reserves.