Okaloosa County BOCC — November 15, 2016 — Okaloosa County Joint Use Agreement Proposal — reading text

Board of County Commissioners State of Florida November 15, 2016 Brig. Gen. Christopher Azzano Commander 96th Test Wing Eglin Air Force Base, FL 32548 Re: Okaloosa County Proposal to Amend Joint Use Agreement (JUA), February 27, 2001 General Azzano, Thank you allowing your team to meet with us to discuss our proposal for future partnerships at the Destin- Fort Walton Beach Airport. We are optimistic about building on our 58-year partnership optimizing Air Force resources while supporting Okaloosa County’s economic development. Commercial airlines started operating from Eglin Air Force Base in 1957 and were formalized in a joint agreement between the Air Force and Okaloosa County in 1972. This JUA was updated in 2001 to coincide with an enhanced use lease (EUL) granted by Eglin to operate and maintain a regional airport on 108 acres. A new lease was granted in 2007 increasing the land to 130.8 acres; it was amended in 2013 extending the duration 25 years to run coterminous with another land lease between the County and Eglin. Eglin has leveraged $6+ million through this cooperative agreement to meet warfighter infrastructure requirements. At the same time, the airport has become the preferred aviation gateway to Florida's Gulf Coast. In reference to our Kickoff Meeting held on September 29, 2016 and the previous request letter dated November 3, 2015, Okaloosa County Enhanced Use Lease and Joint Use Agreement Proposal, please find the following proposal for your review. In addition to our JUA and EUL with the Air Force, Okaloosa County, Department of Airports (hereafter Airport) has continued to support Eglin’s airfield operations. After signing a leasehold for 3.7 acres in 2013, the Airport began construction of a $3.8 million Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Facility (ARFF) that will house airfield response operations for the 96th Test Wing. The Airport also provided FAA grant proceeds of $411,983 towards the construction of a new waterline to support the ARFF. During the construction of the Destin Executive Airport Air Traffic Control Tower, the Airport added a Flight Data Input/Output (FDIO) system and second shout line to the Air Traffic Operations Center. The additional $169,500 in equipment and maintenance was added upon request of the Air Force to substantially enhance air traffic control and safety within the controlled Eglin airspace. As one of only 15 participants in the Military Airport Program (MAP), we have tremendous opportunities to partner on investments for airfield improvement projects. The MAP provides federal funds to support improvements such as pavement rehabilitations and navigational aids to joint-use airports like Eglin. Concurrent to this JUA amendment, we are coordinating with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center to amend the most current EUL in order to leverage available Airport Improvement Program funding. Extending the EUL for 50 years will afford the Airport opportunities to leverage FAA grant funding for Airport projects and potential partnering with Eglin on airfield improvements. 302 N. Wilson St • Crestview, FL 32536 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd., Suite 100 (850) 689-5030 • Fax: 689-5059 Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 (850) 651-7105 • Fax: 651-7142 November 15, 2016 Page 2 As you are aware, the current JUA permits up to 84 civil aircraft operations per day. Despite recent and projected growth, we believe an average of 84 daily civil aircraft operations will be adequate for years to come. However, we request the agreement be amended to calculate operations on a monthly cap vice a daily cap (the precedence exists for this at other joint military-civilian airfields). As such, the current rate of 84 daily operations would equate to a monthly limitation of 2,555 operations. The Airport has experienced an 18% increase in passenger traffic YTD due to the addition of three new air carriers, Allegiant Air, Glo and Contour Airlines. These particular airlines transport leisure passengers to the market and fly primarily on the peak vacation travel days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which are traditionally non-peak days for military traffic. A minor method change like this will allow the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport to better accommodate seasonal demands and will be managed in a way to ensure no negative impact to Eglin’s critical mission sets. We believe this proposal is a “win-win-win” for Eglin AFB, Okaloosa County, and the public. The government will receive guaranteed payments, the Airport will have the opportunity build upon its growing success, and the community will benefit from highly competitive travel opportunities. Additional potential benefits include external funding to improve and repair the airfield and its infrastructure and the ability to qualify for other mutually beneficial grants and opportunities. This realization is fundamental to our Tri-County Partnership Initiative and the ideals promoted by the AF Community Partnership Program. Thank you again for the years of support and for taking the time to review our proposal. We value our partnership and look forward to working toward our future together. Respectively Submitted, Charles K. Windes, Jr. Chairman Cc: Mr. John Hofstad, County Administrator Mr. Tracy Stage, A.A.E., Airports Director Mr. Timothy Bennett, Chief, Civil & Foreign Gov. Aviation Mr. Andre Partin, 96 TW/XPO