Chickasha council approves ordinance adding two council members to Aviation Board

The City of Chickasha approved Ordinance 25-04, amending Chapter 2, Article 5, Section 2-169 of the code of ordinances to designate the city’s airport advisory entity as the Aviation Board and require that two city council members serve on the board.

Supporters said the change is designed to increase communication between the council and the advisory body as the area around the airport faces potential growth. One council member said, “I believe putting two members of the council on that board would help alleviate some of that lack of communication,” and argued the appointment structure would mirror the city’s Parks and Recreation board.

Several council members and staff described the Aviation Board as an advisory body whose recommendations may or may not come before council depending on the matter. Staff said the board members were emailed about the proposed ordinance and that several respondents signaled support by email, though the board did not take a formal vote at a public meeting.

Opponents at the dais said they were concerned that the advisory board had been “circumvented” in prior actions and expressed frustration that email responses were not the same as an in-person board vote. An airport board member who spoke in the meeting confirmed the board had discussed the matter among themselves and that recommendations were sent to the city.

Council action: a motion to approve Ordinance 25-04 as presented was made and seconded; the ordinance passed in roll-call voting and will be codified per the motion.

Why it matters: The change formally increases direct council participation in the Aviation Board’s meetings and is intended to improve transparency and communication around airport-related planning and recommendations.