Editor's note: This is the second and last column of the series. Last week (Jan. 27) the Free Press ran part one titled “Getting facts straight on airport's perimeter fence.”

As expressed in last week's column, unsubstantiated information and hearsay regarding Grand Junction Regional Airport affairs have been running rampant of late. The key is to understand the basics and background before coming to any conclusions. As such, moving into 2012, it is important to understand the year's budget for the airport.

As a public entity, a major contributor to the local economy, and the main air transportation link for an area covering multiple states, Grand Junction Regional Airport maintains a responsibility to the citizens of Grand Junction, Mesa County and the surrounding area. The Grand Junction Airport Authority (GJRAA), the seven-member board that owns and operates GJRA, maintains a commitment to transparency when it comes to understanding the budget.

The “budget” is actually two separate budgets: a capital budget and an operating budget. Both are key for any business. The capital budget contains all the revenues and expenditures of capital projects, which could include construction of a new building or runway, purchases of major pieces of equipment, costs of renovations and debt service. The operating budget consists of revenues and expenditures for daily airport operations. The 2012 GJRA budget for capital revenues is set at just over $10.1 million, and the revenues for the operating budget at nearly $5.9 million.

CAPITAL BUDGET

The main portion of revenue for the capital budget comes from federal and state matching grants; GJRA receives no funds from the City of Grand Junction or Mesa County. More than $960,000 in passenger facility charges, the fees that the Federal Aviation Administration regulates (which we all see when we purchase a ticket for travel), is earmarked for improvements to approved airport facilities that enhance safety and convenience for air travelers.

Capital fund expenditures will go toward several important safety projects this year, all necessary to meet FAA standards. These include ongoing runway relocation, and associated required environmental assessments and realignment of County Road 27 1/4, and replacement of an aging aircraft rescue firefighting truck.

The design and construction of a new administration/office building (close to $2.5 million) is part of Phase 1 of the terminal replacement project. The new building will ease the crowding stemming from growth in Transportation Security Administration field office space needs, and allow for future expansion.

Total budgeted capital revenue for 2012 is $9,461,065, with budgeted capital expenditures of $10,151,784. The difference of $690,719 represents the portion paid by airport matching requirements.

OPERATING BUDGET

The bulk of the GJRA operating budget comes from commercial carrier landing fees and airline terminal rent. About 85 percent of all operating revenues are tied to commercial airline operations. GJRA supports six airlines, nonstop flights to seven major U.S. cities, and with those flights, connecting flights to cities around the world. The smallest portion of operating revenues — at just over $108,000 — comes from Charlie One Alpha (C1A) tenants (private hangar owners).

GJRA will use the majority of the 2012 operating income of $1,103,062 for the airport's share of matching federal and state grants as well as self-funded capital improvements.

GJRA is a self-sufficient entity that has generated, and will continue to generate, enough cash to meet all current and all future airport expansion projects. Details of the budgets are available to interested individuals who contact the airport staff directly (see www.gjairport.com).

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Doug Simons serves as chairman of the GJRAA. He is owner and president of Enstrom Candies Inc. An advocate of general aviation, he obtained his pilot's license in 1982 and has owned four aircraft.