Airport Board Weighs Future Funding Options

Upper Cumberland Regional Airport (UCRA) Director Dean Selby wants city and county governments to contribute additional yearly funding.

The idea was proposed to the airport board during this month’s meeting to the mayors of Cookeville, Sparta, Putnam County, and White County.

Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton offered an alternative solution, suggesting the airport be operated similar to Cookeville Regional Medical Center.

“I look at this [like] this is an asset of the government. For instance, the hospital is an asset of Cookeville,” Shelton said. “Cookeville doesn’t put money into the hospital, we get money back as a dividend for owning the asset.”

The proposal would increase the financial commitment from each of the four operating governments.

Shelton said he wants to see the airport operate on what governments are already providing the airport.

“I would like us to look at this budget and try to figure out a way not asking for money back, but not put in more money,” Shelton said. “We need to figure out how to operate the airport with monies that are here that go to build the asset, in my opinion. That’s just speaking for me.”

Selby said the increased funding would help cover incoming costs and repair work at the airport.

The board also delayed approving the proposed budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year after corrections were requested to the layout.