Residents question airport Avgas figures, credit-card fee assumptions in proposed budget

During public comment Dec. 18, resident Ron Rebel raised detailed questions about the airport portion of the proposed 2024 budget, focusing on fuel (Avgas) and processing-fee assumptions.

Rebel noted a $45,000 budget line for Avgas purchases and asked why projected Avgas revenue was reduced from $20,000 to $10,000 while purchases appear to remain $45,000. "I see that we've included $45,000 for aviation gas, Avgas sales," Rebel said, and asked whether revenue projections and expense assumptions aligned.

City staff responded that the $45,000 had been added back into the revenue line item, "making the deficiency of the airport fund now $42,765," and explained that the airport pays a pro rata share of citywide software, payroll and cybersecurity costs because the airport uses some city services and takes credit-card payments (services not offered at city hall). Staff noted those shared software and cybersecurity services are charged to the airport as part of routine internal allocations.

Rebel also questioned projected credit-card processing fees, noting a 2023 proposed figure that implied a higher percentage on a lower sales projection; staff said the fees are bank charges based on transactions and reiterated that the $45,000 correction affected the percentages.

Next steps: staff said they had corrected the revenue line and explained the allocations; council did not alter the airport line items during the meeting.