Fairhope Mayor Wilson Urges City Council to Take Ownership of Airport Authority Land
Fairhope Mayor Karin Wilson urged the City Council to take title to 258 acres the Fairhope Airport Authority bought in 2007, saying the debt is 21 percent of the city's borrowing.
FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Fairhope Mayor Karin Wilson has urged the City Council to take ownership of 258 acres that the Fairhope Airport Authority bought in 2007 for $8.85 million.
Debt and title
Wilson said the Airport Authority’s debt represents 21 percent of the city’s overall borrowing. She proposed the transfer as a way to pay down that debt and to develop a plan to market the property. The city pays for the land, but the Airport Authority holds the title.
Council discussion
During the discussion, Wilson told Council President Jack Burrell, “I can promise you people … are concerned.” Burrell, who also serves on the Airport Authority board, as its liaison to the city and on the committee that selects bids for the authority, responded, “I know. The citizens. The citizens. The citizens.”
Burrell has not recused himself from council discussions involving the Airport Authority.
Council members are Kevin G. Boone, Jay Robinson, Robert Brown, Jimmy Conyers and Council President Jack Burrell.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Jan. 9 at 6 p.m., with public participation at the end of the agenda.
