Longmont Council Rejects Airport Landing Fees Amid Financial Concerns

The Longmont City Council voted against an ordinance to establish landing fees at the Vance Brand Municipal Airport, with a tally of 3-4 on the second reading held on October 24, 2023. Mayor Pro Tem Susie Hidalgo-Fahring, Mayor Joan Peck, and Councilmember Sean McCoy supported the proposed fees, while Councilmembers Shiquita Yarbrough, Matthew Popkin, Aren Rodriguez, and Diane Crist opposed it. This decision follows months of discussions regarding the airport’s financial sustainability and the potential for landing fees to mitigate a significant budget shortfall.

City staff and council members are preparing for an upcoming rates and charges study, to be conducted by an independent contractor. This study will evaluate the airport’s financial status and explore potential revenue sources, including landing fees, which could help the airport achieve financial self-sufficiency. Council members who voted against the ordinance expressed reservations about implementing landing fees before reviewing the forthcoming data from the study.

The ongoing debate centers on whether landing fees could effectively address the airport’s budget issues. Airport officials indicated that such fees might only be viable if directly linked to operational costs. Additionally, the Airport Advisory Board had previously recommended opposing landing fees during its meeting on October 23, 2023. Concerns regarding increased noise complaints from nearby residents also played a role in the council’s decision-making process.

According to city documents, the airport is facing a budget shortfall that necessitates alternative revenue streams to sustain operations, capital needs, and administrative costs. Airport Manager Levi Brown stated that approximately $420,000 is required to fully fund airport operations. Local aviation community members expressed fears that landing fees would negatively impact small businesses near the airport, reduce training opportunities for student pilots, and pose logistical and legal challenges for enforcement.

Despite the opposition, some residents advocated for landing fees, arguing that such a policy would be a fair and equitable response to the airport’s revenue challenges. Longmont resident Joseph Friedman asserted that landing fees represent the most accountable method for increasing revenue, noting that these fees could be collected without state or federal restrictions. His wife, Emie Friedman, suggested that concerns regarding the financial burden on young pilots could be alleviated through the creation of a fund to offset costs.

Conversely, critics raised concerns about the feasibility of enforcing landing fees. Longmont resident Dan Berry highlighted the challenges of tracking fees through the Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) system, which relies on GPS technology to pinpoint aircraft locations. He cautioned that this could lead to misuse of the system.

Another resident, JoAnn Burton, argued that the airport’s financial issues necessitate action, calling for a “thoughtful, reasonable and simple solution” such as landing fees. She emphasized that the airport is not financially sustainable and that taxpayers should not bear the consequences of ongoing deficits.

Some residents suggested exploring other revenue options, including fuel surcharges and hangar development, before implementing landing fees. Mayor Peck supported advancing the ordinance, stating it lacked specific rate proposals and could allow future councils to reassess the situation with more information. Councilmember McCoy likened the financial contribution of flight school students to tuition costs at universities, suggesting that such fees are a necessary aspect of obtaining certification.

Although the ordinance was ultimately rejected, the city will proceed with the rates and charges study. Longmont spokesman Rogelio Mares confirmed that the decision to conduct this study was independent of the vote on landing fees. The study is expected to commence in early spring and provide results within 90 days, which will then be presented to the new mayor and City Council members for future consideration.