In a recent government meeting, county commissioners engaged in a heated discussion regarding the potential sale of the local airport and the implications for county revenue. The conversation centered around the financial benefits of selling the airport versus the need for a proposed 0.25 mill operating millage to sustain county operations.
One commissioner emphasized the importance of generating consistent income for the county, arguing that selling the airport could provide a significant one-time revenue boost. However, he acknowledged the challenges of passing the millage request, noting that previous attempts had been rejected by voters. He urged fellow commissioners to propose alternative revenue-generating solutions if they opposed his suggestion.
Another commissioner expressed concern about the potential job losses if the millage did not pass, stating that failing to secure funding would lead to cuts in county employment. He stressed the necessity of placing the millage on the ballot to maintain current staffing levels and keep county services operational.
The discussion also included a financial analysis of the airport's sale. One commissioner calculated that selling the airport for $2 million would yield only $5,100 annually in property taxes, a fraction of what the proposed millage could generate. This highlighted the ongoing debate about the long-term financial viability of selling county assets versus seeking new revenue streams through taxation.
As the meeting concluded, the commissioners recognized the urgency of addressing the county's financial challenges, with the fate of the millage request and the airport sale remaining pivotal topics for future discussions.