Venice Municipal Airport weighs higher hangar, tie-down and fuel fees

T-hangar rents, tie-down charges and fuel flowage fees at Venice Municipal Airport in Florida could rise as soon as January.

The Venice City Council took up the proposal Tuesday. T-hangar rents would go up 53 to 147 percent, depending on hangar size and type. Monthly tie-down charges would rise from a $240 ceiling to as much as $1,040 for the largest aircraft. The fuel flowage fee would double, from 5 cents to 10 cents per gallon.

The airport's rates and fees have not had a comprehensive review since 2007, according to a presentation to the council. The new charges would take effect January 1 and be phased in over three years. Annual adjustments would then follow a flat-rate consumer price index average, with a new market appraisal every five years.

Airport director Nicholas Dumas sought approval for the changes and requested Tuesday's meeting earlier in September. He cited an independent appraisal comparing Venice with other airports in the region, which found its T-hangar, shade hangar, tie-down and fuel flowage rates well below market levels. The appraisal examined 131 Florida public airports, according to the source material.

A public information officer for the city manager's office said a workshop on airport rates and fees is set for September 30 at city hall. Council members will collect feedback from that session and review it at their October 13 meeting before deciding whether to adopt the changes.

Airport tenants told Mayor Nick Pachota and the council in written messages that the increases are not justified, arguing in part that the hangars have been poorly maintained.