Airport lands agreement
Press file This unusual aerial view of Coeur d’Alene Airport and some of its property leased to businesses, pilots and other organizatons was taken in 2010 by former Press chief photographer Shawn Gust using a tilt-shift lens. Tilt-shift photos are created by using selective focus to create images that simulate miniature scenes.
A little discussion can resolve a lot of controversy.
That apparently was the case when Kootenai County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution increasing lease rates and fees at the Coeur d’Alene Airport after no resistance during a public hearing — in stark contrast to a contentious meeting in November.
A proposed increase two months ago in the private hangar lease rate from 18.8 cents per square foot per year to 22 cents drew outcry from some pilots who said they were blindsided by the proposal. They said it was too big of a hike at once.
Commissioners postponed a decision until Tuesday when an increase to 20 cents was presented after recent talks between airport staff, the Airport Advisory Board and the nonprofit Coeur d’Alene Airport Association.
"I want to thank all of you for working on this solution that’s workable for everybody," Commission Chairman Marc Eberlein told pilots and advisory board members after the resolution was approved.
Airport Director Steven Kjergaard said the resolution follows the guidelines of a sustainability study funded by the Federal Aviation Administration, which provides funding to the airport.
"While I understand that no one likes to see an increase in cost, unfortunately, running an airport, like your home, does not get any cheaper every year," Kjergaard said before the meeting.
Kjergaard said the goal is for the airport to become as self-sufficient as possible, easing the burden on taxpayers.
Joan Genter, an advisory board member, said it appears recent meetings to find a middle ground paid off.
"When communication flows and everyone has an opportunity to have a voice, good things can happen," she said.
Murdo Cameron, of the airport association, confirmed during the meeting that the group believes the increase is fair.
Just two people spoke during the public hearing and neither protested the rate increase.
Kjergaard said lease rates will be reviewed every five years, while fuel flowage fees will be reviewed every year due to possible changing market conditions.
Kjergaard and commissioners said making leases fair in comparison to each other will need to be addressed over the next five years as lease renewals come up.
Kjergaard said the fee resolution will bring the airport a step closer to being sustainable and more comparable to leases and fees at similar airports in the region. He said most airports such as Coeur d'Alene are not 100 percent sustainable.
While it's the goal of the FAA to make the airport completely sustainable, it's not a requirement, he said.