AzAA Presents First Ever Session at 2010 League

Jeff Tripp addresses attendees. Seated from left are Kevin Shirer, Casey Denny and Jim Lane

Communicating the value, importance and economic impact of the state's airports is a core message for the Arizona Airports Association, (AzAA) and for the first time the organization was able to bring that message to representatives of municipalities across Arizona.

The 2010 Annual Conference of the Arizona League of Cities and Towns was held in Glendale, another first, at the Renaissance Glendale Hotel on August 24th through the 27th.

Jim Lane, Mayor of Scottsdale, introduced the three-member panel representing AzAA, to a well-attended session of attendees from across the state, from Page to Sierra Vista. Kevin Shirer, a project manager for Woolpert, Inc., Jeff Tripp, Airports Projects Supervisor for Mesa Falcon Field Airport and Casey Denny, Deputy Director, Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport and current AzAA President, each took about 15 minutes on the topic of "Unlocking Your Airport's Economic Potential." Information presented varied from the number and types of airports in Arizona to the funding mechanisms in place.

If the questions at the end of the session were any indication, the subject generating the most interest was that of the state aviation fund, monies generated from aviation taxes, that are used to fund airport development projects across the state.

President Denny clearly articulated that over the last ten years 43% of the fund had been diverted by the state legislature to help feed the general fund in an effort to balance the state budget. Denny explained that those were funds that had been earmarked for airport projects.

After the presentation, attendees thanked the panel for the overview and suggested that this was an important session, one that should be repeated in years to come. It was also suggested by attendees that the League formally address the diversion of state aviation funds for non-aviation uses.



Casey Denny, AzAA President addresses attendees

From left, Stacy Howard, AOPA Regional Representative, Casey Denny, President of AzAA and Robin Benning, Queen Creek Town Council member