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Letter: Ogden airport doing wrong by those who lease hangars

Nov 13, 2021

Ogden City and airport management have determined any hangar over 40 years old is obsolete and has no value, “no exceptions” (Gary Williams, Ogden City Attorney). Lessors are left with three options: (1) walk away, (2) tear down to bare dirt, or (3) rent the facility to the airport at a fair market value.

Joint owners and I contracted with GSA to build the US Forest Service hangar in 1985. We have remodeled twice; it took two years just to get a building permit for the last remodel. In those years, we covered many specs, but one important item was never discussed, Title 8. Our renewed lease was signed in January 2021. Three months later, Title 8 was approved. Some public servants admitted they had never heard of it, yet it miraculously passed in one meeting. Title 8 was enforced before it became policy!

Much language (e.g., facility vs ground lease, guidance vs law, etc.) changed in our last lease with no disclosure. We just spent over $1 million to remodel our entire facility. Why would anyone spend that kind of money just to lose their investment? Why would anyone want to locate at Hinckley, home of hostile takeover(s)?

If airport hangars are becoming worthless, why are property taxes going up? Who pays property taxes when the airport takes ownership? Government does not tax government. Can Weber County do without the taxes paid by private hangar owners? Will the airport pay insurance on “their” acquired hangars? Can a city government overtake a federal government lease?

Airport finances are a problem. It is well publicized: the airport operates at a financial loss to the city. That was contested and losses halved. The latest reports are the airport operates in the black. Will a professional dare investigate the numbers and sign an audit?

Ogden needs a municipal airport, not a national or military airport. Those airports are already close. Ogden City and airport managers also need greater transparency, thorough financial accountability, and an airport that welcomes private aviators.

Tamera Newman

Tremonton

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