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Residents press council for answers about Lancaster County airport finances
Summary
Multiple citizens urged greater budget transparency for the county airport, questioning rising terminal costs, a persistent $200,000 operating deficit, and lack of a clear business plan; council pledged to put the topic on a future agenda.
Multiple residents used the public‑comment period to press Lancaster County Council for more transparency about county airport finances, citing a recurring operating deficit and large increases in construction costs for a recent terminal.
Tony McCammon said he and a colleague had tracked airport finances for three years and were ‘‘haunted’’ by a recurring $200,000 annual deficit that the county offsets from the general fund. "Where's the wisdom in pouring more money into an airport that continues to lose $200,000 a year?" he asked, calling for a clear business plan and more public information about who benefits from the investment.
Kathy Storm followed with a list of specific data requests: hanger lease revenues and occupancy rates, the percentage of occupancy for hangars she said are "about 90% filled," revenues from fuel sales, whether the county collects personal‑property tax on aircraft and how Lancaster compares to nearby small airports. She said current hanger rents are ‘‘some of the least expensive in South Carolina’’ and pressed for airport commission reports and market comparisons.
Barbara Scanel and other commenters also urged council action on airport transparency, and several speakers asked that the council place an airport‑specific review on a future meeting agenda. Council members acknowledged the request; staff and the chair said the matter would be brought back for formal review so the public could receive the requested revenue and occupancy data.
The comments occurred ahead of a busy agenda that included budget adoption and other county business. Council did not take an immediate policy vote on the airport during this meeting; instead, members signaled that staff would provide the detailed financial information at a later date.
