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County to let FDOT stage disaster crews at airport; board approves agreement contingent on attorney review
Summary
The Franklin County Commission agreed May 6 to allow FDOT to stage self‑contained road‑clearing crews at the county airport during disasters, approving a lease/license contingent on legal review and coordination with Duke Energy and the FBO. The vote was 5‑0.
Following an update from Interim Airport Manager Steve Kirschenbaum, the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners on May 6 voted to authorize a license agreement permitting the Florida Department of Transportation to stage mobile, self‑contained units on 5–7 acres of airport property during disaster response.
Kirschenbaum told the board that FDOT and Duke Energy have expressed interest in staging personnel and trailers at the airport to speed regional response after hurricanes or other severe events. Maurice Clay, FDOT’s right‑of‑way acquisition administrator, told the commission the staging would be self‑contained: “they are self‑contained? So, we would not need anything from you,” and emphasized the proposal would not involve a cash payment to the county.
County staff recommended conditional approval so the county and FDOT can finalize a lease reviewed by county counsel and coordinated with existing staging arrangements for Duke Energy and the airport’s fixed base operator. Commissioner Ottice Amison moved to approve the license agreement contingent on attorney review; Commissioner Anthony Croom seconded. Commissioners discussed runway closures during staging and how the staging areas would be separated from existing Duke Energy staging. The motion passed unanimously, 5‑0.
Why it matters: Having a pre‑arranged staging site would place clearance crews closer to Franklin County communities during a disaster, which officials said could speed restoration of critical routes. The board directed staff to ensure the agreement protects airport operations and clarifies site boundaries, environmental responsibilities and access.
Next steps: County attorney review of the draft lease and staff coordination with FDOT and Duke Energy to finalize the license terms. The commission flagged the agreement for additional review of land‑use interfaces with existing Duke staging and for the airport board and FBO to be looped into implementation planning.
