By: Mariel Carbone | WCTV Eyewitness News

April 10, 2019

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- After a two hour workshop discussing the leadership of the Tallahassee International Airport, no decision was made regarding a study of governance change.

The commission met to discuss potentially giving control of the airport to an outside agency. It's an idea that has been pushed by the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce as a way to boost economic development. The Airport Advisory Committee, which is a citizen based advisory council, also supports the study.

City Manager Reese Goad recommended the commission study the issue. And, Interim Airport Director David Pollard also supported it.

However, after no motion by any commissioner, the meeting adjourned with no decision.

Commissioner Jeremy Matlow, who was against the study at this point, said he felt voting on the topic was premature.

"Let's slow down, we're a little premature," he said.

With four news members, he wants the new commission to have time to address the airport before handing off control.

"Give us a chance to see what we can do. And if we feel like we need a different structure in the future, let's explore it then. But right now, we're all committed to doing the best thing we can for the airport, and that's what we're doing," said Matlow.

Currently the airport is writing up a master plan. And, the city is in the process of hiring a permanent airport director. Some commissioners felt this all needed to be completed before launching a new study.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson raised various concerns, including the lack of public input to this point. He brought up the recent push back on the new TPD Headquarters. In that situation, the public felt there wasn't enough public input, and Richardson feared issuing a study that could lead to giving away millions of dollars worth of public assets to an outside agency without getting public input first.

Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox couldn't stomach paying $150,000 for the study when people are in need of new roads and sidewalks.

On the other hand, Commissioner Elaine Bryant wanted to see the study happen. And Mayor John Dailey said he wold support it.

Advantages of an outside authority governing the airport include quicker decision making and that it would be operated more like a business. Staff also said typically, those airports have lower fares, but that there is no direct correlation on record.

Keeping a city ran airport ensures the citizens have a stronger connection to the changes and decisions that are made.

By: Mariel Carbone | Eyewitness News

April 9, 2019

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- The City of Tallahassee will hold a workshop Wednesday to determine if it should move forward with a study to look at new leadership for the airport.

Currently the city operates the Tallahassee International Airport. However, in the last few years there has been a push to consider giving that control over to an outside airport authority.

The Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce initiated major discussions on the matter after announcing a position in 2017 asking the city to consider its options.

Jay Smith, Chair of the Chamber's Advocacy Committee said studying the issue is the first step.

"Actually look at ways we can increase the development area around it, ways we can attract more businesses in to that area, which increases the number of flights," he said.

The Chamber recently took a trip to Greenville, South Carolina and said touring the city's airport only solidified the Chamber's stance.

"They have a focus and a goal. They want to be the connector for that area for international business all over the world," said Smith.

Likewise, Tallahassee's Airport Advisory Committee also supports studying the issue. The advisory committee is made up of citizen volunteers that help direct policy for the airport.

"It's really about our airport growing up," said John Fleming, chair of the committee.

Fleming said the committee has been talking about this for years and that he's glad the commission is finally having the discussion.

"(An authority will allow us to) have more aggressive leadership, we're able to move quicker on business decisions, we're able to be more aggressive with our assets," said Fleming, which he believes will lead to better service and more flights.

Currently, three airlines operate out of the Tallahassee International Airport. Those airlines offer service to seven destinations. In 2018, more than 800,000 people traveled through the airport, which is the highest amount since 2008.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson said the city is currently working to build a master plan for the airport. In doing that a big focus is on offering more airlines and lower fares.

"We just have to determine what is the most appropriate governance structure for that. I am going to stay open and listen at the workshop," said Richardson.

The workshop begins at 1 p.m. at City Hall.

Staff is recommending that the commission move forward with a feasibility study to further consider the option.