The city of Sedona’s exploratory proposal to purchase the Sedona Airport from Yavapai County was shot down by Sedona City Council’s unanimous consent during a special meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 25, which was called to consider the results of a study on airport operations and the feasibility of a city takeover bid.

Following council’s expression of interest in acquiring the airport during its priority retreat in January 2023, city staff contracted with Aviation Management Consulting Group to perform an assessment of the airport’s finances and the potential benefits and challenges of city ownership. AMCG began its study in March 2023 and presented it to city staff on April 30, 2024.

The assessment recommended that the city acquire the airport, in part to enable “increased control over the airport’s non-aeronautical development.”

The city’s 2024 budget priorities survey included a question on whether respondents would support the city acquiring the airport if it were financially self-supporting to allow “greater local decision-making.” Eighty percent of respondents replied that they would oppose a city purchase of the airport.

Prior to the meeting, the City Council received statements from the Sedona Aircraft and Hangar Owners Association, representing more than 90 residents, and the Sedona-Oak Creek Airport Authority Board of Directors recommending against city acquisition of the airport. SAHO members cited economic research showing that mismanagement costs publicly-owned airports an average of $20 million per facility per year, while SOCAA described the AMCG recommendation in favor of acquisition as “almost facetious,” pointing to the “extensive liability” the city would incur as a result.

“Is the city’s vision compatible with [Federal Aviation Administration] regulations?” SOCAA board president Pamela Fazzini asked. “If so, it will not include community centers, public parks, affordable housing, diversion of dollars from the airport, regulating aircraft once they have left the ground or restricting operations in response to political pressure … Ultimately, the FAA will determine, after a lengthy, in-depth review, whether or not the city is qualified to become the airport sponsor.”

“Airport ownership and sponsorship would come with obligations and a significant commitment of resources,” the agenda bill for the meeting stated. “Staff is recommending not pursuing ownership and sponsorship of the airport at this time.”

According to a statement from airport user Pamela Stevens, Sedona City Manager Anette Spickard likewise “clearly stated that she is not in favor of taking over management of the airport” at SOCAA’s August board meeting.

“At this point we believe there are opportunities for the city and the airport to work together rather than needing to pursue ownership,” Deputy City Manager Andy Dickey said. “The potential liability challenges the city would face are real.”

“I would just like to see a thumbs-up or thumbs-down on whether council wishes to further pursue sponsorship and ownership,” Councilman Brian Fultz asked following Dickey’s presentation. Five of his colleagues immediately responded with a thumbs-down, while Councilman Pete Furman and Councilwoman Jessica Williamson did not answer.

Public Opposition

Public comment was unanimously opposed to a city takeover.

“I found the report to be lacking in both substance and detail,” Russell Demaray said. “It makes no sense for the city to take on the liability and the expenses required to run and maintain the airport.”

Robert Stevens, speaking on behalf of SAHO, identified “19 areas of concerns or omissions by the consultants” in the final assessment.

“The liability costs could actually bankrupt the city given the right set of circumstances,” Stevens said. Also, “AMCG did not mention that the airport authority and county are bound by a master lease agreement,” and called attention to paragraph 19 of that lease, which provides that if the lease is transferred, the successor will still be bound by the conditions of the lease.

“How does the city benefit from taking over the airport?” Roger Parker asked.

“I recommend that we enjoy the benefits the airport provides to the city without a whole bunch of liability or additional work to be done,” Mark Allen said. “Just be thankful for the management you have here.”

Council Says ‘No’

Council members then rejected the recommendation of the study for the city to acquire the airport.

“This is not something that this council at any point was fervently desiring … the report falsely creates an idea that council wanted to take over the airport and that we were excited about it,” Fultz said. “My interest is that our zoning is what has supremacy on the property, and as I understand it, that is in fact where we’re at right now. So I couldn’t agree more with all the folks who got up and spoke on all the reasons why this doesn’t make sense.”

“We have no experience or understanding,” Vice Mayor Holli Ploog said. “We hear you and you are right, we’re not going to move forward with this.”

“I never wanted to take over the airport. I didn’t even want to talk about it,” Williamson said. “Everything you guys said was true. We don’t know anything about it.”

“I’m asking myself, what is the problem that we’re trying to solve, and I don’t see what it is,” Furman said. “I’m not sure why we would ever consider this as an option.”

“I do not want to have the airport … I was against this from the beginning,” Mayor Scott Jablow said, but then added that he believed “we could do it.”