Tampa aviation authority workers may get raise
Board considers 3% increases and retaining lobbyists
BY TED JACKOVICS
The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA -- Hillsborough County Aviation Authority employees could get their first cost-of-living raises in three years and the authority would retain lobbyists in Washington and Tallahassee under a proposed fiscal 2012 "turnaround plan budget" that board members discussed Thursday.
The 2012 budget the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority board will vote on next month would provide $1.2 million for 3 percent employee cost-of-living raises and $250,000 for "consultants" who would lobby for airport interests in Washington and Tallahassee.
"We need to pursue the $90 million the authority paid for the in-line baggage security system after 9/11 that we've never been reimbursed by the federal government," board member Steve Burton said in explaining the need for lobbying help.
The board chose to install the sophisticated system enclosed beyond public areas in the main terminal to improve security and speed baggage flow rather than get in line for federal funding for the project.
But the airport has not pursued its refund with vigor and needs some clout in Washington to regain the much-needed money, Burton said.
The fiscal 2012 budget includes $32.5 million in capital improvements from state, federal and authority funds, and $94.2 million in operating expenses.
It would raise operating revenue by $3 million and lower operating expenses by $200,000 compared with the current budget and allocate $23.5 million for capital improvements from federal, state and authority funds.
"The airport cannot save itself into prosperity," chief executive Joe Lopano said in explaining solutions to revenue declines brought on by a drop in travel because of the economy and last year's Gulf of Mexico oil spill scare.
Passenger growth is expected to reach 1.7 percent this year to about 17 million passengers and 2 percent growth is envisioned for next year, which will generate more income from airline, parking, rental car and other fees.
The board also selected a contractor for a previously announced $20.3 million Tampa International Airport terminal modernization project to be completed by 2013, with about half the money to be drawn from the current budget.
Hardin Construction Co. will replace carpeting, refurbish restrooms, install video signage and replace office cubicles as part of the project expected to be completed in the summer of 2013.
(813) 259-7817
Photo: JOE LOPANO
Copyright © 2011, The Tampa Tribune and may not be republished without permission. E-mail [email protected]