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Sullivan County Commission defers resolution to set aside $240,000 for airport revenue guarantee
Summary
Commissioners debated whether to place $10,000 a month from the countyhotel/motel tax into a trust as Sullivan Countyits share of a regional $2 million minimum revenue guarantee for new air service; after extended public comment and commissioner debate the body voted to defer the measure.
The Sullivan County Commission deferred action on a proposal to reserve the countyportion of hotel/motel tax receipts to help secure new airline service at the Tri-Cities airport.
The resolution presented to the commission would have set aside $10,000 per month from the countyhotel/motel tax for two years (a $240,000 total county commitment) to be held in trust as Sullivan Countyits contribution toward a $2,000,000 minimum revenue guarantee for a prospective airline deal. Supporters said setting the funds aside would signal the countycommitment and help recruit a carrier; opponents warned the measure, as drafted, lacked clarity about who would act as the contract signatory and said it risked killing ongoing negotiations.
The debate drew public comment and participation from regional officials. Kelly Burgess, city manager for Bristol, Tenn., told the commission the Bristol City Council had not been asked and had not acted to support city contributions: "The City of Bristol has not had that discussion or taken a vote on support for additional air service," Burgess said. A resident, Michael Munckel, urged more coordination with Bristol and Kingsport and questioned whether the resolution would use only Sullivan Countyhotel tax receipts.
Commissioners who opposed the measure without a named administrator for the funds said the countycommitment needed to be structured to allow a single third party to collect, invoice and disburse the pledged funds as part of the minimum revenue guarantee contract. Several speakers singled out concerns about a regional nonprofit previously known to the commission under a different name; critics said history and transparency questions remained about that groupand said the county should not rush into an allocation without clearer safeguards. Supporters said Sullivan County should lead the region and that reserving the money would keep the opportunity alive.
After extended discussion, Commissioner Carr moved to defer the resolution; Commissioner Irish seconded. The motion to defer passed by voice vote and the item was deferred for later consideration. No final tally of the deferral vote was recorded in the transcript.
