During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the implications of issuing Airport Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) debt amounting to over $5 million, which is part of a larger project funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The airport currently holds a substantial fund balance of approximately $20 million, prompting questions about why these reserves are not being utilized for the project.

The primary concern raised was the FAA's requirement that any funds withdrawn from the airport reserve must be replaced, which would lead to an increase in landing fees for airlines operating at the airport. Specifically, the fees could rise from $4.19 to $4.51 per $1,000, a significant hike that would impact all signatory airlines and potentially burden passengers with higher costs.

An alternative proposal considered was for the airport's reserve fund to loan the $5 million for the project. However, this option would also trigger the FAA's recapture provision, jeopardizing future capital projects due to the loss of those funds.

Ultimately, the consensus among officials was to proceed with the PFC issuance of $5.4 million to cover the debt. This approach would not increase charges for airlines or passengers, allowing the airport to navigate the complexities of federal regulations while maintaining financial stability. The meeting concluded with a request for assurance regarding the legality of lending the funds, underscoring the careful consideration of regulatory compliance in airport financing decisions.