Poplar Bluff takes over city airport until end of year

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Operation of Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport is now the city's responsibility -- at least until the end of the year.

City manager Doug Bagby said the fixed base operator, Aeroflite Inc., decided not to renew its contract with the city.

"The city has taken over operation of the airport. We will operate it on an interim basis until Jan. 1," Bagby said. "Then we will decide what we will do on a permanent basis."

Bagby said the airport will be operated by airport manager Mike Smith on an interim basis. He took over at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Before the end of the year, the Poplar Bluff City Council will have to decide if it will continue to allow Smith to operate the airport or advertise for bids for a new fixed-base operator.

Aeroflite Inc. is a partnership owned by Jim Plunkett and Scott Saunders. Plunkett and his wife, Debbie, worked at the airport.

"Jim was at the airport for over 12 years. He did a good job," Smith said. "It is unfortunate he decided to not renew the contract."

Four Aeroflite employees will become city workers on a temporary basis until the end of the year. They will be paid by the city but will not receive city benefits.

"We want everyone to know airport services will continue to be provided just as they have been in the past," Smith said. "Business is continuing the same as usual."

Ted Mathes, an Aeroflite employee who has worked on airplanes at the airport for more than 12 years, will remain on the job.

"We will still have the repair shop and hangar rental," Smith said. "Hopefully someday we will be back in flight instructions."

Smith is looking forward to the construction of two airport improvement projects starting in two months. Low bids for the new aviation fuel system and a right-angle taxiway totaled nearly $712,000.

Future operation of the airport by Smith, a city council member, would require changing a city ordinance adopted by the city council in 2003. The ordinance prevents any council member from being employed with the city until two years after the member's term ends. The ordinance was amended in 2007 to make the restriction limited to only full-time employees so Smith could continue to serve as the part-time airport manager.

"The original intent of the ordinance did not concern a part-time position," Bagby said in 2007.

In 2005, the Municipal Airport Development Board hired Smith as the new part-time airport manager. Smith had handled hangar leases at the airport for the airport board since 1990.

The airport board recommended Smith's salary be increased from $4,080 to $7,200 in 2007 because of more responsibilities at the airport. After the ordinance amendment was approved, the position was switched back to being a city employee under the direction of the city manager.

Smith will be paid $2,916.67 per month for the remainder of 2008, according to Bagby.