PUBLIC SERVICE MEETING MINUTES
5 May 2025
Vice Chair Commissioner David Wamble opened the meeting asking Commissioner Roger Reedy to offer a prayer and lead the pledge. The Minutes of 3 Feb 2025 were moved for approval by Commissioner Gayle Jones, seconded by Commissioner Joyce Woodard and were approved unanimously.
Commissioner James Lathrop member of the Abernathy Field Advisory Board then asked Mr. Derek Rowe, Chairman of that Board to provide some background on the Advisory Board. Mr. Rowe stated that the airport is jointly owned by the county and the city of Pulaski, and both the County Executive and the Pulaski Mayor had recognized the need to gain more transparency on airport operations and thus established the Advisory Board. The Board was established in January 2025 with both county and city assigned membership and findings of that board were made available during this meeting orally and in a handout dated 5 May 2025. Some of the main findings included in the report are: There is no airport authority with most airport decisions over the years being made by the Airport Manager, Mr. Randy Jones, and the City Administrator. A 1987 contract between the city (Pulaski) and Mr. Jones (excluding the county) granted Mr. Jones all proceeds from fuel sales and hangar rentals. The outcome of the current financial arrangement is that the airport is financially unsustainable, requiring continual City and County investments. There is no Return on Investment (RoI) as airport revenues solely benefit Mr. Jones as an employee of the City/County and also as proprietor of Jones Flying Service LLC, a conflict of interests. Some varying financial information was provided, i.e. grants requiring county/city matching funds for example, with taxpayer funded infrastructure benefiting Jones Flying Service. Commissioner James Lathrop noted that nearby Lawrenceburg operates with an airport authority which meets monthly. Commissioner Terry Jones asked if the Airport Manager was invited with Commissioner Lathrop stating he had been asked to address the Board’s report and had not. Commissioner Evan Baddour asked about getting the necessary information and was the Airport Manager cooperative, with Mr. Rowe answering no. Commissioner David Wamble addressed Commissioner Lathrop asking what is the next step, with Commissioner Lathrop saying get an Airport Authority set up but with city responsibility as driving force. Mr. Rowe stated the issues have been identified on what requires focus, with legal status and have oversight for both county and city. Commissioner Gayle Jones said why was the airport manager not invited to this meeting. In the past she stated he did turn over information, and we looked at Airport Manager salary found it advantageous to leave as is. She stated not inviting the manager as poor judgment. Commissioner Evan Baddour noted that the county does not receive rent, but the airport manager does as the owner of the LLC. He could be considered a tenant. Mr. Ryan Gilland, member of the Advisory Board, said these are questions that need answers and then move forward. Mr. Rowe stated this report and effort is to work with the airport manager toward transparency. The Chair noted the airport is for public service, and the county should get some RoI, because right now the county and city get zero. He also mentioned an upcoming new hangar proposal. The Chair noted he would want an agreement that emphasizes RoI. Mr. Rowe discussed a lease arrangement is typical for a fixed base operator, that is the right to lease public property with a lease payment. He noted that would not offset all cost but would make airport sustainability possible. With Commissioner Gayle Jones asking about current budget for the airport, the CE said the county contributed about $70K this year. Commissioner Joyce Woodard asked the Financial Manager (FM) Beth Moore-Sumners about the county’s reimbursement to the airport and in what detail is that cost shown. The FM said it is not detailed but shows general categories such as salaries. The CE said he had talked to the county attorney about airport management; although the county had abdicated management to the city since 1987, the county cannot delegate legal liability. Mr. Rowe said the plan for airport improvement and with the Federal dollars paying partially for the new hangar and the city/county providing a match, the advisory advice/recommendation is to move ahead. The funding is short now of $600K, but there is a practice of other airports saving their allotments which can be transferred to one airport, especially in rural areas. This could reduce the shortfall, and without doing the new hangar would lose the federal funds for the hangar. When asked by Commissioner Hopkings why continuing to throw dollars with no RoI, Mr. Ryan Gilland noted this is a long-term asset which would greatly benefit the county. Mr. Rowe also said in the future the contracts may be revised to financially benefit the county. The Chair asked Mr. Rowe to comment on average airport manager salaries, and he said typically $65K to $85K per year plus benefits. Dr. Lathrop commented that Lawrenceburg pays $55K. Commissioner Shelly Goolsby asked about potential hangar rental costs, with the Dr. Lathrop saying he pays $100 a month, but they also house a corporate jet there too (implying higher rental). Commissioner Evan Baddour said give the airport manager a timeline to provide the necessary information; we don’t want to shut down operation; city may decide they want to negotiate a lease. Commissioner David Wamble suggested sending a letter to the city requesting more specific accounting information for the county to continue funding. Commissioner Wamble to the FM do we have a contract stating we do half, with FM stating an agreement had been struck a long time ago. Commissioner Matt Rubelsky said request a new lease and put the county back in the game. Commissioner Erin Curry said she is in favor of transparency, but the airport is beneficial to the county, especially in recruiting for business, and the hangar users spend dollars in Giles County. A motion by Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Shelly Goolsby was made to create an Airport Authority to work with the airport manager and requiring financial transparency on income. Motion passed 6 – 1 with Commissioner Gayle Jones voting no. Commissioner Gayle Jones reminded all to keep in mind the airport manager works long hours, and a change could cost the county more funding. She recommended speaking to the manager to get more answers. She questioned what an Airport Authority would do compared to the advisory board. The CE responded that an Authority has legally delegated governing responsibilities, whereas the advisory board has no authority. A motion by Joyce Woodard seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour to get the last five years of revenue generated to determine if the airport is sustainable. No vote. A motion by Commissioner David Wamble, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour to send a letter to the Airport Manager asking for financial records of revenue proceeds from fuel sales and hangar rents was made and approved 5-1 with Commissioner Gayle Jones voting no and Commissioner Annelle Guthrie abstaining.
Commissioner Roger Reedy moved for adjournment and with Commissioner Gayle Jones seconding, the meeting was adjourned.
ATTENDEES: Members of this committee – Vice Chair Commissioner David Wamble (in Chair Rose Brown absent), Commissioners Judy Pruett, Evan Baddour (for Rose Brown absent), Tracy Wilburn, Annelle Guthrie, Roger Reedy, Brad Butler Other Commissioners in attendance – James Lathrop, Carman Brown, Terry Jones, Shelly Goolsby, Joyce Woodard, Erin Curry, David Adams, Matthew Hopkins, Matt Rubelsky, Gayle Jones, Tim Risner Others in attendance – County Executive Graham Stowe; Financial Manager Beth Moore-Sumners, and staff Shelby Thomas, EMS Director Bill Myers, Willow Chavez, Josh Young, Sheriff Joe Purvis, Deputy Woody Woodard, Advisory Board members Derek Rowe, and Ryan Gilland
