Franklin county Commission holds emergency meeting to discuss Apalachicola airport FBO contract

Franklin County commissioners met in emergency session last night to work through some issues with a contract for the new fixed base operator for the Franklin County-Apalachicola airport.

The county is negotiating a contract with a company out of North Carolina called “Fly High” to take over the FBO position – the company will provide airport services like fueling, hangaring, aircraft rental and maintenance.

The board had approved a contract in April but “Fly High” had some changes they wanted to make that the commission considered yesterday.

Most of the changes were minor and were approved easily.

The county rejected a request to do an in-depth environmental study at the airport and also rejected giving the company free rent for the first year.

They did agree to let the company pay rent quarterly for the first year and gave the company a few weeks to begin providing aircraft maintenance.

The county is feeling some pressure to get the contract signed as quickly as possible.

The previous FBO is leaving the airport today so there is no one to provide services for planes that want to use the airport – planes can’t even get fuel at the airport right now and are being sent to Blountstown and Marianna for that service.

County attorney Michael Shuler said he will have the amended contract ready for “Fly High” today, and the county is giving the company till next Wednesday to respond.

Even if “Fly High’ Signs the contract immediately it could be two weeks more before fuel is available.

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