Port Authority News Release
First, I want to thank our current Port Authority board of directors for all their volunteer service: Terry Burns, Chairman (15 years
of service); Patrick Myers, Vice-Chairman (12 years); Michael Diskin, Treasurer (8 years); Karl Schmidlin (20 years) and Patrick Chrysler (7 years). Like so many other volunteers, these individuals are unpaid and put in a significant amount of time and energy to serve the island community. THANK YOU!
Port Authority Funding Discussed
Needless to say, doubling the local dollars required to complete needed improvements will be a bit of a hardship. As always, we will continue to strive for additional revenue sources and minimize expenses as much as possible to meet the demands for improvements at the three island airports and harbor.
We are applying for a grant to complete a runway rehabilitation project this year and hope to receive federal funding in time to start the project at the end of September. During the project, the existing asphalt surface will be ground up and used as a base for a brand-new asphalt layer, and then the exterior will be repainted. The Put-in-Bay airport will be closed for approximately three weeks while the project is completed, and the resurfacing will cost about 1.4 million dollars.
The local match of 10% will be paid from the Port Authority general fund and will cost approximately $140,000. As explained in my November article, the money used to cover our local cost comes from several different sources, including aircraft fees, rental income, mooring field lease, etc., and economic development income.
Property tax income will not be used on this project and will continue to be utilized to pay off the debt incurred when the airport was purchased. We have four years of payments remaining on our bond note, so this debt will be paid off in 2015. We also owe the Township additional money, which was borrowed when the levy failed in 2009, and we could not make our bond payment.
Last year the Put-in-Bay Port Authority Airport worked with Marv Booker and his staff at the Boardwalk Restaurant to replace worn ground tackle in the mooring field. Most of the work was completed in 2011, but the remainder will be completed this spring.
The Put-in-Bay Road Races will be back on the island and racing at the airport again this year. The event has been moved to September 20 – 22, 2012. You can get additional information on the event at the Put-in-Bay Events website. Our next board meeting is on Saturday, May 19th at 9 am at the Township Bldg on Trenton Rd. Hope to see you there!
The Role Of The Put-in-Bay Port Authority
The Put-in-Bay Port Authority is a government agency responsible for the development and management of the Put-in-Bay Airport and the Put-in-Bay Dock System on South Bass Island in Ohio.
The Port Authority manages the airport and dock system in order to promote transportation and economic development on the island. The airport provides an important transportation link for visitors and residents, with regular flights from Cleveland, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan. The dock system includes facilities for ferry boats and other watercraft and is used to transport passengers and goods to and from the island.
In addition to managing these transportation facilities, the Port Authority is also responsible for promoting economic development on the island. The agency works to attract new businesses to the island and support existing businesses’ growth and expansion. This includes providing support and resources to entrepreneurs and small business owners, as well as working with larger corporations to facilitate their investment in the local economy.
The Port Authority also plays a vital role in the environmental protection of the island. The agency is responsible for managing and protecting the natural resources on and around the island, including the lake and wetlands. The agency works to prevent pollution and other environmental hazards and to promote sustainable development practices that will protect the island’s natural beauty for future generations.
Overall, the Put-in-Bay Port Authority plays a critical role in the economic and environmental health of the island. By managing the airport and dock system, promoting economic development, and protecting the natural environment, the agency ensures that the island remains a vibrant and thriving community for years to come.
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