The Jasper
County Airport Authority is seeking to secure a tax levy on Jasper County
property owners to cover expenses to maintain and improve the local airport. [Last
week], a public hearing was held to give taxpayers in Jasper County the
opportunity to speak to the Airport Authority Board about how they feel
regarding the tax levy the board is seeking.
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Andree feels that by improving the airport, jobs will be created and those employees will pay county tax which will help support the county. Currently the Jasper County Airport is funded in part from the Jasper County Council's general fund. “The budget from the council gave us enough to survive, nothing more. We are trying to do the best we can with as little as we can. I understand your pain, we all pay taxes,” said Andree.
Andree feels that by improving the airport, jobs will be created and those employees will pay county tax which will help support the county. Currently the Jasper County Airport is funded in part from the Jasper County Council's general fund. “The budget from the council gave us enough to survive, nothing more. We are trying to do the best we can with as little as we can. I understand your pain, we all pay taxes,” said Andree.
Patrons at
the hearing voiced their concerns over how much more Jasper County residents
can stand to be taxed before people start leaving the county. One patron
angrily stated that very few use the airport and that the airport should be
self-sufficient. “How many people in this room have ever used or will ever use
this airport. Growth is going to stop because it is so expensive to live here.
If you can't afford to operate the airport then you shouldn't stay in business.
Any business that can't support itself has no right being in business.”
Many were
shocked that the airport does not charge fees for use of the airport for pilots
taking advantage of Jasper County Airport. Patrons suggested that the airport
charge fees for use of the facilities. “If we charge them fees, they won't come
here. They will go to Lafayette or other local airports. Lafayette is offering
free hangars for businesses to come use their airport,” said Andree. Patrons
yelled back to let them go to Lafayette then.
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