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Airport Board Controversy
11/19/09 - 04:54 PM
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There’s a controversy brewing over the airport board’s make up.

“I think by the beach putting in two and half million dollars every year for this promotion… I think they deserve a seat at the table,” said Bay County Commissioner Mike Thomas.

Not only does he say Panama City Beach needs representation, so do beach residents.

“I would prefer that we get representatives from the beach before we get representatives from another county,” said Beach resident Cindy Dodds.

Currently, the airport board is made up of two bay county members, two Panama City members, and one board appointed member.

The airport board wants to add two voting members from Walton County.  There are two currently serving as advisory members.
Board members say because Walton County is contributing their tax dollars to the new airport, they also need a say.

Commissioner Thomas says he thinks more people should be consulted before the board makes these decisions.

“Nobody’s wanting to take anything away from anybody as far as their power, it just makes better representation to do that in our own county,” said Thomas.

Commissioners George Gainer and Thomas think they should leave it as a five person rather than a seven person board.  They want 1 member from Panama City, 1 from Panama City Beach, 1 from Walton County, and 2 from Bay County.

The county commission may have opinions, but final say comes from the state legislature.

The commission will make an official recommendation to the legislative delegation in their next meeting.

Panama City Mayor Scott Clemons says the city hasn’t taken an official stance, but because they have contributed millions of dollars to the airport, he thinks there should be at least 2 positions representing Panama City.