Some Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport employees will get hefty pay raises under a $28.5 million fiscal 2009 budget that the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority approved Monday.
The airport budget, which takes effect Oct. 1, calls for a 7.2 percent increase in salaries and wages, according to budget documents. It also calls for revenues to increase by 3 percent and expenses by 5 percent.
But the airport expects to finish the fiscal year $73,000 in the black, said Rick Piccolo, SRQ's president and chief executive officer.
"It is a balanced budget," he said. "Last year's revenues were higher than last year's expenses."
The budget will maintain current landing fees for the airport's airlines to help them as they struggle with high fuel costs. The airlines were "very enthusiastic" about the budget, said Piccolo.
The 2009 budget passed 5-0, with one commissioner, Paul Sharff, absent.
Commissioner Eric Robinson reluctantly voted for the budget, saying it was not conservative enough. He also disagreed with the airport's policy of hiring outside consultants, citing one who was paid five figures to advise the airport on which bank to use.
Piccolo said he hired the consultant to make sure the board got an independent opinion on complex banking issues.
Commissioners Kathy Baylis, John Redgrave, Jack Rynerson and Leslie Wells voted for the budget.
The authority, which oversees the operations of SRQ, also approved a plan to better track Piccolo's travel expenses. Under the new arrangement, he will submit his travel plans for the upcoming month to the authority's chairman for review and approval. If the chairman disapproves, Piccolo could appeal to the full board.
After he returns, Piccolo will have to submit his expenses to the board for approval. If board members feel his expenses are unreasonable, he will have to pay them himself.
Among the boards for which the authority will allow reimbursement is the Airports Council International, a nonprofit organization representing airports in 175 countries, and its regional arm, Airports Council International-North America. Although some of Piccolo's travel was solely on SRQ's behalf, numerous trips stem from his work as an ACI officer.
Under the new budget, Piccolo and other airport administrators will get $168,650 for travel. The fiscal 2008 budget contained $161,050 for travel.
The increase is partly from a new category calling for $25,000 to be earmarked for travel associated with professional associations, committees and board memberships.
In other action, the board changed its parking policies to increase the fine for parking violations on airport grounds from $10 to $25.
The authority also approved a tentative agreement reached with the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Police Benevolent Association, Inc., Airport Unit, which represents nine members of the airport's police force.
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