Legislative ltrs, Aviation fundCity Manager's Office
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(319) 5894110
(319) 5894149 FAX
March 6, 2002
VIA E-Mail and
Ist Class Mail
mike_connolly@legis.state.ia.us
The Honorable Mike Connolly
Iowa State Senator
3458 Daniels
Dubuque, IA 52001
Re: Aviation Funding
Dear Senator Connolly:
The Dubuque Regional Airport understands the budget crisis facing the state of Iowa.
However, we are extremely concerned with the recent budget proposal from a joint sub-
committee on infrastructure and transportation. They released a recommendation for
next year's budget, which eliminates all funding for aviation and the programs that have
been administered by the Iowa DOT Office of Aviation. This includes the $2.3 million for
the Iowa DOT aviation and airport safety projects, and $500,000 for general Aviation
Airport Vertical Infrastructure.
As you may know, Iowa aviation with taxes and fees currently account for more than $8
million deposited annually into the General Fund. Fees deposited in the General Fund
include $1.5 million in fuel tax, $800,000 in aircraft registration, and approximately $6
million in use tax on aircraft and aviation parts.
The financial impact on the Dubuque Regional Airport for projects budgeted for the
upcoming fiscal year is currently $65,000. Projects affected are surveillance cameras at
$17,500, airline terminal counter replacement at $40,000, and retrofit terminal doors at
$9,400. These projects are a necessity for the continued improvement of the Airport
and more importantly for the traveling public. If this proposal passes, the State of Iowa
will no longer provide any programs or funding for the airport industry. This includes
nearly $32,000 of marketing money available to the Dubuque Regional Airport.
Collectively, this amounts to a $97,000 decrease in funding for our communities airport.
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Senator Mike Connolly
March 6, 2002
Page 2
We know you are familiar with the economic importance of airports. Dubuque depends
heavily on passenger air and general aviation services as a means of recruiting and
retaining companies for our community. Without quality, affordable access, economic
development in our community will be negatively impacted.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter..
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MCVM:jh
cc: Mayor Terry Duggan
Dubuque City Council
Andrew Perry, Airport Manager
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Bill Baum, Economic Development Director
Tom Bredeweg, Executive Director, Iowa League of Cities
The Honorable Mike Connolly
lowa State Senator
3458 Daniels
Dubuque, IA 52001
The Honorable Pam Jochum
Iowa State Representative
2368 Jackson
Dubuque, IA 52001
The Honorable Robert Osterhaus
Iowa State Representative
216 Austin
Maquoketa, IA 52060
The Honorable Thomas Flynn
Iowa State Senator
21367 Girl Scout Road
Epworth, IA 52045
The Honorable Pat Murphy
Iowa State Representative
155 N. Grandview Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
The Honorable Paul Scherrman
Iowa State Representative
P.O. Box 309
Farley, IA 52046