The County of San Diego, Airports Division is updating the Schedule of Rates and Charges and Use Control Policy (Ordinance No. 10763) governing all County-owned and operated airports, which must be renewed every five years. These updates include renewal of delegated authority to approve short-term leases, improved fee waiver flexibility, the codification of turn fees which were previously included in leases, updated COLA calculation, and minor administrative language adjustments to clarify terminology. The ordinance update is not increasing fees or charges. A summary of all changes is provided below along with links to the draft Ordinance that will be presented to the Board of Supervisors.
Increase to the Director's Rent Authority Threshold
The proposed Ordinance will raise the monthly rent threshold under which the Department of Public Works (DPW) Director may award leases and licenses without formal Board approval, from $10,000 to $25,000 per month. The change is in alignment with authority already delegated to the County Department of General Services. The amendment will extend the authoirty of the DPW Director to award low value (i.e. less than $25,000 per month), short term (i.e., less than 10 years) leases and licenses for the next five years. This threshold does not change the rent owed on any existing lease, and all long-term leases or licenses (10+ years) continue to require Board approval regardless of value.
Additional Waiver Flexibility and Housekeeping Updates
The Ordinance also removes the current 30-day limit and "fund raiser" qualifier on the Director's authority to temporarily waive rates and charges (for events, emergencies, etc.), makes several minor technical corrections, clarifies language and commercial operation definitions.
Turn Fees - Added to the Ordinance
The Ordinance will be amended to provide for the collection of turn fees from commercial airlines using the County Airport's commercial apron, the general circulation areas of the terminal building, and other County-owned facilities or services made available to support commercial cervice. These fees will be in addition to any Federal Aviation Administration approved Passenger Facility Charges required to be collected by airlines and remitted to the County. This change standardizes where turn fee collections are codified and would replace any turn fee amounts specified in a lease or other agreement.
Next Steps
The proposed Ordinance updates will proceed through the County's public review process, including two hearings before the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Introduction and Adoption), before taking effect 30 days after adoption by the Board of Supervisors. Leaseholders will be notified of the applicable date once finalized. A copy of the draft Ordinance is available below.
Questions?
If you have questions about how these updates may apply to your specific lease, please contact Ursla Null at Ursla.Null@sdcounty.ca.gov
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