Commission says hangar lease rate would move from $0.28/sq ft to "negotiable" under fee amendment

The Jasper County Airport Commission discussed a proposed fee-schedule amendment Dec. 10 that would change the hangar ground-lease rate from a fixed $0.28 per square foot to a negotiable figure.

Airport manager Lenny Sansone told the commission the change is on a fee-schedule ordinance scheduled for final reading on Dec. 15. He said the revision affects two items relevant to the airport and will allow staff to set rental terms that better reflect market conditions and operational needs.

"It's changing from the 28¢ per square foot rate to negotiable," Sansone said. He told commissioners he is developing a matrix to guide offers so the county does not "randomly come up with numbers out of our head." Factors would include comparable airport rates, distance from gate or runway, hangar age, and whether the space is used for retail or commercial purposes.

Sansone said the goal is to be fair to tenants while allowing the airport to operate in a self-sustaining fashion. Commissioners asked for guardrails for the negotiation process; Sansone said he is working on structure and standards that would set initial offers and comparables.

If the fee amendment is adopted by the county council, airport management will apply the new framework to future ground-lease negotiations and provide commissioners with details and recommended guardrails.

What happens next: Fee amendment scheduled for final reading Dec. 15; Sansone will continue to develop the negotiating matrix and report back to the commission.