Airport budget raises landing, terminal fees

The Spokane Airport Board passed a $31.2 million 2009 budget on Wednesday that will go to the Spokane City Council and Spokane County commissioners later this month for final approval.

The almost 6 percent increase over 2008 will be covered by a 14 percent boost in landing fees and 5.5 percent increase in airline terminal charges. But fees from car rentals will remain the two largest revenue generators for the airport, where revenues so far this year have remained above projections despite the loss of some service by airlines struggling with much higher fuel costs.

A 10 percent decrease in passenger numbers is projected for next year.

Airport Director Neal Sealock said airline officials did not welcome the fee increases but know that Spokane charges remain low compared to those imposed at other airports.

“We’re very affordable,” he said.

Airport Engineering Director Dan Johnson reviewed $45 million in improvements to be completed by year-end, including a new rental car lot, a new 350-slot lot near Concourse C, reconstruction of Spotted Road south of Airport Road, and a new roof for the main terminal.

Capital expenditures over the next five years are expected to exceed $96 million, generating 3,852 jobs.

The two-year process of extending the main runway by 2,000 feet, at an estimated cost of $25 million, begins next year.

Johnson said preparations for the opening of a new Cascade Aerospace repair facility are going well. The plant will employ 140 within a year of the projected start of operations in February, he said.

Bert Caldwell

Coeur d’Alene

Free conference covers finance for women

A free, state-sponsored event called “Smart Women, Smart Money: Idaho Everywoman’s Financial Conference” will be held in Coeur d’Alene.

The session will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Best Western Coeur d’Alene Inn.

The conference will include interactive workshops, motivational speeches, and information about saving and investing, mortgages, credit and identity theft.

Continuing education credits are available for CPAs and teachers. Breakfast and lunch are included; advance registration is required online at www.smartwomensmartmoney.com.

The annual conferences were started by Idaho state Treasurer Ron Crane, who will host this year’s conferences – paid for by donations from businesses – in Boise, Idaho Falls and Coeur d’Alene.

For more information, call JoAnn Lanham at the state Department of Finance, (208) 332-8067.

Betsy Z. Russell