Mohave County supervisors are preparing to take a new step in the ongoing transition of the Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport to county control. On Monday, the board will consider a proposal to establish a comprehensive schedule of fees, which the county anticipates collecting when it formally assumes operations of the airport next year. This action represents a pivotal point in the financial and administrative preparations for the airport's future under county management.
The specific request before the board on Monday is to schedule a public hearing. This hearing is proposed for Dec. 21, and its primary objective will be the adoption of the aforementioned fee schedule. The schedule is designed to encompass a wide array of services and activities crucial to the operation and use of Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport.
Among the specific areas targeted by the proposed fee schedule are charges related to aircraft landings. These fees would apply to planes utilizing the airport's runways and facilities, contributing to the upkeep and operational costs associated with air traffic. Additionally, the schedule includes provisions for terminal use, addressing the utilization of the airport's main building and its amenities by passengers and airlines.
Further categories detailed in the potential fee structure involve fuel. These fees would pertain to the provision or consumption of aviation fuel at the airport. Another significant component of the proposed schedule targets rental car operations, indicating that businesses offering vehicle rentals at the airport would be subject to the new fee structure. Beyond these explicit services, the schedule is also planned to cover "other airport services," signaling an intent to create a broad framework for revenue collection across various airport functions.
The county's move to establish these operating fees is directly linked to its impending assumption of control over the airport. By setting these financial parameters in advance, Mohave County aims to ensure a stable and predictable revenue stream to support the airport's management, maintenance, and future development once the transition is complete next year. The supervisors' consideration on Monday is therefore a critical administrative action, paving the way for the financial mechanisms necessary to operate Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport under county authority. If approved, the Dec. 21 public hearing would serve as an important forum for formally establishing these financial guidelines.
