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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-024and RESOLUTION NO. 2021- Od 7/ A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMSSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN SUPPORT OF THE ADOPTION OF HOUSE BILL 1143 AND SENATE BILL 1466 AS FILED IN THE 2021 SESSION OF THE FLORIDA STATE LEGISLATURE AMENDING SECTION 332.007, FLA. STAT. REVISING THE TYPES OF AIRPORTS TO WHICH FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ELIGIBLE AVIATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City of Vero Beach owns and operates the Vero Beach Regional Airport; WHEREAS, the Vero Beach Regional Airport is a general aviation facility and receives funding from federal and state sources; and WHEREAS, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) funds airport capital improvement projects at general aviation airports at 80% of project cost; and WHEREAS, under current state law, when a general aviation airport begins to receive scheduled commercial airline service and subsequently exceeds 10,000 annual commercial passenger enplanements, the airport is classified as a primary Commercial Service Airport by the Federal Aviation Administration and FDOT, and at such time, FDOT funding eligibility is reduced from 80% to 50%; and WHEREAS, the Commercial Service Airport designation remains in effect even if annual commercial passenger enplanements falls below 10,000; and WHEREAS, the reduced funding from 80% to 50% puts smaller commercial service airports such as Vero Beach Regional Airport at a financial disadvantage in that revenue from airline operations is far from sufficient to make up the loss in FDOT funding; and WHEREAS, HB 1143 and SB 1466 would amend section 332.007, Fla. Stat. to allow Vero Beach Regional Airport to remain a general aviation airport and not be subject to the reduced grant contributions caused by the threshold of 10,000 enplanements per year; and WHEREAS, as a result of the loss of FDOT funding, which will commence July 1, 2023, Vero Beach Regional Airport must delay or cancel capital improvement projects, which will result in deterioration of airport property and jeopardize the safety of airport operations, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT: Section 1— Adoption of "Whereas" clauses. The foregoing "Whereas" clauses are hereby adopted and incorporated herein as forming the legislative findings, purpose, and intent of this Resolution. Section 2 — Support for Adoption of HB 1143 and SB 1466. The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners supports the adoption and passage of HB 1143 (by Representative Grall) and SB 1466 (by Senator Hutson) as originally filed in the 2021 session of the Florida Legislature, and extends its appreciation to the local legislative delegation for its support and assistance. The foregoing Resolution was offered by Commissioner Moss and seconded by Commissioner Flescher, and, upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows: Chairman Joseph E. Flescher AYE Vice -Chairman Peter D. O'Bryan AYE Commissioner Susan Adams AYE Commissioner Joseph H. Earman AYE Commissioner Laura Moss AYE The Chairman thereupon declared the Resolution duly passed and adopted this 10��o�i'° March, 2021. Attest: Jeffrey R. Smith, Clerk of INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, 171b0141) `;' Court and Comptroller BOARD OF COUNTY COMNi�fiI By.4. �.....lw> Deputy Clerk , se lescher, hairman Approved as to form and legal sufficiency: ylan Reingold County Attorney