TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Airport Tenants Get A Break On Leases

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: December 29, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - The 142 tenants at the Hernando County Airport complex will catch a break on their leases in 2009 because of the downturn in the economy.
County commissioners unanimously approved the move, which will result in a decrease of $117,000 in extra money that would have gone into the Airport Enterprise Fund.
The lease freeze also affects the people who store their aircraft at one of the 50 or so airport-owned hangars.
"Government should do anything and everything it can to help business, especially at this period in time," County Commissioner Jim Adkins said.
One of Adkins' campaign promises this year was to help existing business owners who are crushed under heavy taxes.
Airport Director Don Silvernell said private industry is struggling right now and this should help ease the financial burden somewhat.
The majority of leases at the airport have automatic 5 percent lease increases every five years. Those increases are based on property appraisal values.
Tenants who are not scheduled for a lease increase in calendar year 2009 will have their rate hike postponed for 12 months from the next scheduled date of increase.
For example, if a company negotiated a lease in 2008 and is not scheduled for a lease adjustment until 2013, the company will get its 12-month postponement at that time.
"We have to be fair across the board," said Silvernell, who received concurrence from the county administrator and the Aviation Board before bringing the matter up before the county commission.
Leases vary depending on the age of the lease and how it was negotiated.
But the hangar rates are fixed: $295 per month to rent space in one of the airport-owned large hangars and $260 per month for a smaller hangar.
Those rates were scheduled to rise in 2009 but will now stay the same, at least for another 12 months.
Airport technician Bob Beason said the hangars are always at full capacity and there are currently 13 airplane owners on a waiting list.
Those hangars store everything from Leer jets to Cessnas, Beason said.
The Hernando County Airport has 183-based aircraft that provide 82,000 takeoff and landing operations annually.
Gus Guadagnino, owner of Joni Industries on Aviation Loop Drive, views the lease postponement as an incentive for existing industry and reflects a commitment on government's behalf that it "really cares about business."
Joni Industries, one of the older tenants at the airport industrial park, manufactures a variety of products including silk screens, fabrics, novelties and signs.
Many of the manufacturers are hurting because of overseas competition, he said.
"In today's economy, any way you can save money is a blessing," Guadagnino said.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT