Fulton council advances airport rate changes after heated public comment

Fulton City Council members voted to place proposed changes to the city airport’s schedule of fees and charges (Bill 17-45) for a future reading after extended public comment from hangar tenants and other users.

The action follows more than an hour of public remarks urging caution on steep increases and arguing the airport generates local economic activity. Speakers who addressed the council included hangar tenants and long‑time airport supporters who said they want the facility to grow but worried that sharp, immediate increases would push tenants and businesses away.

Why it matters: The airport is both an operational enterprise and a locally owned asset that council members say brings economic benefit. Council members said they need more financial detail before adopting large fee hikes and want to balance operating costs, depreciation and incentives to attract hangars and fuel sales.

The meeting’s speakers pressed the council on who benefits from the airport and how proposed fee increases would affect tenants. Tenant Dave Lorenz described himself as a hangar renter and multi‑county business owner and said the airport influenced his decision to live in Fulton: “I chose to live in Callaway County. ... The airport was one of the reasons why I chose to live in Fulton.” He urged the council to avoid decisions that would drive tenants away.

Other commenters offered historical context and financial suggestions. Longtime airport advocate Andy Huey said the airport has received federal fuel tax disbursements over decades and that many hangars built by private owners return to the city at lease end. Pilot and former patrol pilot AJ Striker urged runway and fuel improvements to attract jet traffic and maintenance opportunities.

Council discussion focused on two amendments to the proposed fee schedule: removal of a proposed increase applicable to existing ground leases, and the overall percentage increase proposed for other airport fees. Council members debated options including a 5% increase, a 10% increase (the version in the draft ordinance), and larger figures staff had previously modeled. Several council members said they need more time and financial detail before endorsing a large single‑year increase; others said the airport has not had a rate adjustment in several years and needs revenue to cover rising costs.

Outcome and next steps: The council removed the proposed ground‑lease change from the draft and voted to place the amended Bill 17-45 for reading at the next regular meeting. Council members said staff will return with clearer financial details (including depreciation and operating versus cash balances) before final action. No final increase was adopted at the meeting.

Quotes from the meeting illustrate the competing views: tenant Dave Lorenz said, “Allowing us to pay rates at [current] levels isn’t catering to us. It’s not adding surplus to the general fund.” Council supporters of a smaller increase argued for incremental steps and more data; opponents cautioned against raising rates that could disincentivize private investment in hangars.

Council members and staff said they will continue evaluating grant opportunities, the airport’s capital needs (including runway and lighting improvements and potential jet fuel service) and the mix of revenues that support operations before returning a final ordinance for adoption.

Ending: The council set the revised airport fee schedule for formal reading at its next meeting and signaled more financial briefings are coming. Until then, proposed fee levels remain under review and no changes to tenant leases have been enacted.