An amendment to a federal bill passed by the Senate on Thursday would cap how much Rogers has to pay for air traffic control, an expense set to go up sharply. The cap would also apply to the Springdale Municipal Airport, according to a news release from Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark, who made the amendment.
Rogers pays 31 percent of the operating expenses at Rogers Municipal Airport. The federal government pays the rest.
A review by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2008 found Rogers’ share should have been increased to 45 percent. That would have brought Rogers’ annual expenses to about $190,000.
Rogers disputed the validity of the proposed increase. But the amendment would make the disagreement a moot point, capping Rogers’ and Springdale’s contributions at 20 percent.
The percentages are calculated from a complex formula including factors such as type of use, value and type of airplanes and passenger loads.
The amendment is part of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act, which still has to pass the House of Representatives.
“We’re hoping this amendment will go through,” said Ray Hobbs, chairman of the Rogers Airport Commission. “It would certainly help the Rogers airport.”
The cap would save Rogers about $46,000 per year. Hobbs said the airport is in good financial shape, although it has had fewer flights.
The airport increased fees in 2009 to make up for decreased activity.
Wyman Morgan, administrative director for Springdale, also said he hopes the act passes with the amendment, to provide protection from unexpected expense increases.
“The airport operates on a real thin margin,” he said. “A $50,000 swing from one year to the next could be devastating to operations.”
Third District Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, the former Rogers mayor, will comment on the measure once it gets closer to the House floor, said J.R. Davis, Womack’s spokesman.
Don Fogleman, a Walmart spokesman, the airport’s biggest user, said he had no comment on the proposed cap.
The Federal Aviation Administration did not respond to requests for comment Friday.