NEWS
Airport Board Members Debate
Two months ago, the airport authority promised to add two people from Walton County to its ranks. But authority board members did not do enough to consult other stakeholders about the proposed change.
The controversy went public Monday night at a local legislative delegation public hearing, then at Tuesday's Bay County commission meeting. Some don't want to expand the board from 5-to-7 members.
Others believe other communities should also have representation. It appears Panama City Beach is one of them.
The agenda for next week's Beach meeting includes an item, calling for a resolution for an airport authority member from the beach. Panama City Beach Mayor is Gayle Oberst.
"The bed tax is only collected on the beaches so all the bed tax that has been pledged for marketing out at the airport, which is a little more than 2 million dollars a year, is collected here so we are the tourist arm. So for at least putting that kind of money into the airport we feel like we should have some say in what is happening with the airport."
Right now, the Bay County commission and the Panama City commission each appoint 2-members to the airport authority. Then those 4 appoint a 5th member.
The state legislature would have to approve any changes to the board's charter, such as allowing members who do not live in Bay County.
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