The Dothan-Houston County Airport Authority received “a clean bill of health” for its 2013 fiscal year audit report, said George McClintock, the accountant who performed the audit.
“What a difference a year makes,” McClintock said of the airport’s total assets, which were up from a little more than $21.2 million in fiscal year 2012 to more than $33.8 million in 2013.
Total net assets were up as well, from more than $19.1 million in fiscal year 2012 to more than $25.8 million in 2013.
Revenues were down due to lost rental from former tenant Pemco World Air Services, which left its airport space in 2012 after filing for bankruptcy in March of that year.
Airport expenses were kept in check, however, McClintock said.
The airport is expected to have an even better year in 2014, he said.
Its newest tenant, Commercial Jet, is expected to start paying about $30,000 in rent this month and again in April. In May, the company’s monthly rent will rise to $60,000, said Art Morris, the airport’s director.
The number of people flying out of the airport increased by more than 15 percent in February over February 2013, in spite of seven severe-weather-related cancellations. There were 3,917 enplanements in February 2014 and 3,392 in February 2013.
In other news, the airport restaurant could see a change in management, Morris said. The owner of Willie’s Place, a South Oates Street Puerto Rican, Cuban and Caribbean café, could take over the restaurant’s lease. Arrangements are not official, however.
Morris also said the airport will host the Experimental Aviation Association 1929 Ford Tri-Motor, the world’s first mass-produced airliner, from April 24-27. The airliner, which carries about 10 or 11 people, will offer rides for $75 a person.
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