A proposed joint operations agreement for the Greenwood-Leflore Airport Board appears on its way for quick approval by a majority of the Greenwood City Council this week.
The proposed agreement, which cleared the Leflore County Board of Supervisors last week by a 4-0 vote, would provide for the Airport Board — jointly appointed by the city and the county — to approve routine business, including the approval of leases, contracts and repairs, without seeking approval from the council and the supervisors.
“I have no problem with the wording. I’m satisfied with it. I think we have capable people on that board,” said City Council President Ronnie Stevenson.
Stevenson said the Airport Board appears to be working well and should be able to conduct limited business without the council acting. He also said grants or contracts could be lost because of the requirement of city and county approval.
Ward 1’s Johnny Jennings, Ward 2’s Lisa Cookston and Ward 4’s Charles McCoy all voiced strong support for the plan and said they’ll vote for the new agreement when it comes up Tuesday.
Cookston said the Airport Board is a group of qualified people.
“I feel like the board is capable and competent to run an airport,” she said. “I know nothing about running an airport. I’m for giving them more autonomy.”
McCoy said the proposed agreement will get his vote.
“We don’t need to micromanage them. They have their own board, their own lawyer,” he said.
Jennings, a longtime proponent of giving more control to the Airport Board, said the proposal just makes sense.
“I think if you put capable people on these boards, which is our responsibility, it comes through. That’s why we seek out those people with gifts and talents for that board,” he said. “If not, just dissolve the board, and we’ll run it.”
Jennings said the Airport Board reflects the council and the citizenry and has the ability to manage the airport for the greater good.
“They know the workings of the airport, and we don’t,” he said.
Ward 6’s David Jordan opposed giving the board greater autonomy and said having council oversight is healthy.
“I think the city has to be responsible for some things,” he said. “Rightly, the board should be responsible to the council. I’d like for the city to take the last look on the actions of the board.”
Ward 5’s Dot Glenn and Ward 7’s Carl Palmer could not be reached for comment.
