VAN NUYS : L.A. May Ask Airport to Pay Expo Expenses

Hoping to lessen the financial burden on its departments, the City Council is expected to vote today on a motion for the financially independent Department of Airports to absorb the $32,000 in fees and staffing required for this year’s Van Nuys Airport Aviation Expo.

Councilman Joel Wachs introduced the motion to declare the Expo, to be held Aug. 21 and 22, a special event and ask the Department of Airports to pick up the tab. In the past, these costs have been paid out of the city’s general fund.

“Instead of the various city departments absorbing the cost, we’re asking the airports to absorb the cost,” said Tom Henry, planning deputy for Wachs. “The airports, with the money they have, should be doing more to help out the city.”

Ron Kochevar, Van Nuys airport manager, said his complex is more than willing to absorb the cost. The $32,000 price tag includes 13 daily parking officers, three fire inspectors, police overtime and other city services.

“We thought it was very appropriate, since it’s our air show, to pick up the costs incurred in supporting our air show,” Kochevar said.

Van Nuys Airport, the largest general aviation airport in the nation, is owned and operated by the Department of Airports, a non-City Council controlled agency for four airports, including Los Angeles International, Ontario and Palmdale.

Funding for the show, which is free to the public, would come from the Van Nuys Airport’s general budget, which is supplied by user fees, ground leases and other revenue sources, Kochevar said.

The annual expo draws more than 250,000 aviation enthusiasts and features dozens of military, vintage and business aircraft.