New airport authority considers Walton County representation

PANAMA CITY - Bay County's legislative delegation appeared set Monday night to sponsor a bill that would let Walton County in on the Airport Authority.

Then they heard a couple of objections.

"The people that have skin in the game are the ones that should be sitting on the board," said District 5 Commissioner Mike Thomas, who said he supports Walton's bid for representation - its commission did help reel in Southwest -- but not in a bill that excludes others.

Panama City Beach, for example, was not in the bill.

And while fellow commissioner George Gainer acknowledged Walton County's financial contributions are key, he asked for "a little more time taken" to include others with a stake.

"I really don't think that the seats on this airport board should be determined by how much money you put in the venture," he said, "but how much you stand to gain."

The bill was the main issue at hand for state Reps. Marti Coley, R-Marianna, and Jimmy Patronis (R-Panama City) and state Sen. Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee). Sens. Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) and Durell Peaden (R-Crestview) were absent.

As it stands, the airport board has five members. The Panama City Commission appoints two; the Bay County Commission appoints two and those four sitting members elect the fifth.

The bill, brought forward by Airport Executive Director Randy Curtis, would have created a seven-member board - giving Walton two positions, first in an advisory capacity and later as full voting members.

The Legislature would have to amend statute to allow such a change.

The objecting commissioners agreed change is needed, and Walton County, where commissioners recently approved a half-cent bed tax increase to help lure Southwest Airlines to the region, deserves representation.

"I hate to call it the price of admission," Patronis said, but he suggested that's why Walton stood out.

Thomas said any reconfiguration should leave the board at five members, an optimum number.

Washington County Manager Peter Herbert appealed for his county to be included.

Gainer said other counties deserved it, too.

Lawson eventually withdrew a motion to sponsor the bill as written, asking Curtis and airport attorney Mike Duncan to come back with a more comprehensive bill.

Coley encouraged them to do it quickly.

"I think we are all supportive of the general idea that we need to revamp the authority," she said. "Know that we're here when you're ready. We will reconvene and hear it."

Duncan agreed, but added, "I didn't realize we'd stir up this much comment."