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County Aviation Authority Crafting Budget For 2006

Posted on: Friday, 19 August 2005, 00:00 CDT

Aug. 19--TAMPA -- The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority focused on salaries and capital improvements during Thursday's workshop for the 2006 budget.

Aviation authority members plan to vote on the $170.2 million budget Sept. 1, including $45.7 million in capital improvements for the coming fiscal year, which will begin Oct. 1 and run through Sept. 30, 2006.

The proposed budget includes a request for $42.2 million for pay for 615 aviation authority positions. That's an increase of 50 jobs, with 42 in maintenance, public safety and operations.

Thirty of 32 executive level employees would get raises. The exceptions are Tampa International Airport Director Louis Miller, who requested he not be considered for a raise, and Director of General Aviation Paul Phillips, whose position only recently was created.

Miller, who earns $226,298, said he preferred not to be considered for a raise as a matter of principle to reflect the poor economic condition the airline industry faces. That's in contrast to the airport's performance, which has reported record passenger numbers in 21 of the past 24 months and expects to serve more than 19 million passengers during the next fiscal year, which would be an increase of 2.3 percent.

Twenty-three airport officials would earn more than $100,000 annually if the board approves proposed raises. The aviation authority, which does not use local taxpayer money, has authorized a top range in excess of $100,000 for 31 of the 32 top positions.

Among the capital improvement expenditures:

--$6.36 million for Drew Park land acquisition for long-term airport facility expansion. The airport has acquired 244 of the 288 parcels it needs.

--$5 million for the demolition of Airside D, which was abandoned in the spring when Airside C opened. The airport has no plans to replace Airside D. Long-term plans are tied to the new master plan that will be completed early next year.

--$2.1 million for new carpet for Airside A, which is 10 years old.

The airport also plans to improve signage in the main terminal to direct passengers to airline counters and has begun discussions with concessionaires to improve their areas.

"Everybody loves the airport, but people do ask about concessions and signage," said Stephen Mitchell, board chairman.

The aviation authority's budget includes revenue expectations that will keep airline costs relatively low, an incentive for them to increase service. The airport will generate 74 percent or $119.7 million of its revenue next year from nonairline sources such as parking and concessions.

Southwest Airlines announced the most recent new local flights Thursday with its inaugural nonstop flight between Tampa and Pittsburgh and a third daily flight between Tampa and Philadelphia, both beginning Oct. 30.

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LUV,

Source: Tampa Tribune

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