Airport Tenants Oppose Rent Hikes

Pilots and business owners at the Camarillo and Oxnard airports say they will oppose a rent increase during Thursday’s budget talks.

A financial plan proposed by officials with the Department of Airports calls for a 34% rent increase for aviation businesses and a 10% increase for pilots.

A similar hike occurred last year, meaning that tenants whose leases expire in the next few years could face a 60% increase.

Benny Younesi is the president of the Constellation Historical Society, a volunteer group that owns Camarillo Connie, the city’s official plane.

The society pays $250 a month for Connie’s home near the tarmac. An increase would place the rent at $325.

Younesi said nonprofit groups like his do not bring in a lot of money.

“This used to be a friendly airport,” he said. “I don’t know what they’re trying to do.”

What the airport is trying to do is avoid subsidies and repair aging equipment and property, said its assistant director, Scott Smith.

Other than a few grants, the airport receives no outside money.

“When you combine our operating budget and capital fund account, we are actually asking for less money,” he said.

Even with the rental increases, which would bring $120,000 this year and more than $300,000 as lease agreements expire, Smith said the total is still about $130,000 below cost recovery.

Earmarked on the 2000-01 budget are asphalt replacement and drainage repairs, estimated at a combined $7.6 million. About $4.2 million comes back from revenue, including rental fees, and from loans and grants. The remaining $3.4 million comes from the airport’s savings account, Smith said.

Other costs associated with keeping the airport going include salaries, services and supplies. Combined, they cost $3.9 million.

In terms of operations, the airport has been breaking even, said Rod Murphy, director of airports.