The second and final public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2025 operating budget and the five-year capital improvement program for the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency took place on schedule, with discussions centering on the contentious airport gateway project.

During the meeting, Dot Inman Johnson, a local resident, voiced her strong opposition to the proposed airport gateway route, which she argued would disrupt the Providence neighborhood and cost taxpayers significantly more than an alternative route via Lake Bradford and Spring Hill Road. Johnson emphasized that the current plan would not only destroy a community but also incur expenses four times higher than necessary, urging the agency to reconsider its decision.

Despite the public concerns, the budget, which allocates substantial funding to the airport gateway project—$6 million next year and $33 million the following year—was supported by several directors. One director expressed reservations about the funding priorities, noting that critical projects like Tharp Street improvements were being deferred, with only $9 million projected for the next five years against a total project cost of $50 million.

Another director indicated a desire for a bifurcated budget approach, allowing for separate votes on different projects rather than an all-or-nothing decision. Ultimately, the budget passed with a mix of support and dissent among the commissioners, reflecting ongoing debates about community needs and fiscal responsibility. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue addressing essential infrastructure projects, including water quality and pedestrian safety improvements.