Some suggest there is room for change in the Augusta Regional Airport’s relationship with the city

Some Augusta Regional Airport officials say the airport’s growth may be hampered by its affiliation with the Augusta Commission.

Mayor Garnett Johnson inquired at a work session Monday about the possibility of the city turning it into a stand-alone authority.

Three commissioners and Johnson — several others were reportedly on vacation — met with airport board members and Executive Director Herbert Judon during the session, called Monday to discuss the group’s powers, duties and responsibilities.

One of Augusta’s greatest assets, the airport was renamed Bush Field as Augusta Regional Airport in 2000 and logged some 500,000 commercial passengers in 2011, said Acting Administrator Takiyah Douse.

With an economic impact of about $285 million a year, the airport is also “virtually a self-sustaining operation,” said board chairman Dan Troutman.

Although it relies on Augusta to provide procurement, legal, planning, human resources, fire protection, some maintenance and payroll services, the airport generates most of its own revenue.

That includes revenue from airline tickets, car rentals, aircraft rentals, gasoline sales and grants and covers the cost of construction projects, payroll and other expenses, said Troutman, owner of Alternative Construction and Environmental Solutions.

Airport projects undergo extensive fundraising, planning, review and approvals before going through the city’s public procurement and seeking additional planning and permit approvals, he said.

“It seems like it just adds another layer of bureaucracy, if you will,” Troutman said. As a result, some potential bidders are looking at “red tape” associated with change orders and payment, he said.

“It’s not a person who’s not doing their job,” Troutman said. “It’s just an extra level that has to be reached.”

The recently opened extensions to Gates 3 and 4 of the airport are one example, he said.

The project, which was supposed to be completed before this year’s Masters tournament, was delayed by a master plan review and a slight delay in procurement, he said. The airport then had to spend additional funds to prepare the incomplete site to accommodate Masters visitors.

The $3 million federally funded project went out to tender in April 2023. The only responsive bidder was RW Allen, and the project would ultimately cost well over $5 million.

The gate expansion allowed the airport to have passenger ramps and TSA checkpoints at all four gates, Judon said.

Other recent accomplishments at the airport include its consolidated car rental center, Georgia’s first electric aircraft charger and the May launch of a $33 million hangar expansion by Standard Aero, Judon said.

The airport decided to self-fund a K-9 officer program to supplement its two K-9s, he said.

The ninth-fastest non-hub airport in terms of air service quality, Augusta Regional had a record 24,000 passengers during Masters Week and its second-highest number of airport operations at 6,200, he said.

Commissioner Sean Frantom questioned Judon’s salary, which the airport board voted to raise by $11,000 last year. Today, it stands at more than $230,000, making him the highest earner in the city.

However, under current council bylaws, approval of the salary by the Augusta Commission is not required. The amount was provided to the commission for approval as a pro bono payment, said Rachel Mack, the city’s senior attorney who handles airport matters.

Mack, who recently announced his resignation, said the legal counsel was brought back in-house a few years ago because of additional approvals required by the city’s law firm for any legal consulting work at the airport.

According to its bylaws, the aviation commission consists of 10 members appointed by the commission and two appointed by the Augusta legislative delegation. All must be Richmond County residents, and only seven votes are needed for a quorum or to pass a measure. The commission elects its chairman together.

Troutman said the airport plans to hire its own attorney next year but expects to be reimbursed by the city.

“Our needs have become more complex,” he said.

Johnson suggested exploring the possibility of creating an authority, with its own independent legal counsel, human resources and other functions “to get things done” without having to rely on city departments.

“Wouldn’t it be better to have a conversation about the possibility of moving to an authority?” he asked.

Aviation Commission member Randy Sasser said the commission’s statutes were “in dire need of updating” and included non-standard terminology.

They are not targeting business and private aviation, which is “our most profitable sector,” he said.

Douse recommended that any plans to convert to an authority be fully developed before moving forward. Commissioners Francine Scott and Wayne Guilfoyle also called for restraint.

“Before we start thinking about a regional authority, I think we need to address what we’re here to talk about right now,” Scott said.

“I think this issue needs to be brought before the airport commission first,” Guilfoyle said.