Board backs development of airline incentive program to support expanded service

The board agreed that airport staff should develop a formal airline incentive program to help retain and expand air service to the county's airports.

John described the proposal as a two-part item: staff will draft program options and return to the board for review before presenting a finalized program to county council. "There's a lot of restrictions on how you can use airport revenue in support of a program like this," he said, noting the most likely allowable incentive would be advertising support rather than direct revenue guarantees.

A board member asked for financial parameters and data; John said the airport's air service consultants (Valera) were present to help explain trade-offs. The board voted to proceed with staff developing the program; the motion carried without a recorded roll-call tally.

What this means: staff will analyze incentive options (marketing grants, fee waivers within FAA limits), assess legal and revenue constraints, and return with a recommended package and implementation details for board and county council consideration.