Why a Levy and Why Now?
Although the airport district has been in existence since 1994, the November 3, 2020 levy ballot will be its first ever levy request to the greater Desert Aire community. Until now, the airport has been supported by volunteer labor (Commissioners receive no salary), donated services (Think Tank for example), donations from owners of property adjacent to the airport, the Desert Aire Home Owners Association, by supporting members and businesses of greater Desert Aire, and by grants and loans through the many county, state, and federal agencies.
However commendable and successful this all has been, this sole dependence on donations to fund the maintenance, operation, and development of the Airport District is beginning to affect its ability to garner grants (like the ones that rebuilt the runway). This lack of a 'sustainable income' has also raised concerns with the state auditors that going forward, the airport district may have trouble meeting its current and projected financial obligations.
This is but a brief overview and we realize that the relevance of all this hinges on your personal decision as to the importance of the airport (district) to community safety (life flights and fire suppression), economic activity, real estate values, and to the future growth and vitality of the greater Desert Aire community.
For example, the Desert Aire Regional Airport (DARA) has been the operations center for wildfire fights using helicopters with water buckets and 'super scoopers'. During one of the more recent fire fighting operations, the Saddle Mountain fire of July 10, 2020, local grocery stores provided several hundred sack lunches per day for ground and air fire fighters during the four day operation. There was no loss of life and minimal loss of property.
The airport serves as an aerial medical evacuation site for LIFEFLIGHT patients in Beverly, Schwana, Mattawa, Desert Aire, and the surrounding area. The airport was used to airlift six seriously injured PUD workers after an industrial accident at Wanapum Dam in 2017. All personnel survived their injuries.
The airport provides a transportation link between international buyers and local agribusiness.
So we hope that upon reflection, you will agree that the Airport District is important to the future of Desert Aire and that you will vote to pass this levy come November.
Updated: 6Aug2020-VSH
However commendable and successful this all has been, this sole dependence on donations to fund the maintenance, operation, and development of the Airport District is beginning to affect its ability to garner grants (like the ones that rebuilt the runway). This lack of a 'sustainable income' has also raised concerns with the state auditors that going forward, the airport district may have trouble meeting its current and projected financial obligations.
This is but a brief overview and we realize that the relevance of all this hinges on your personal decision as to the importance of the airport (district) to community safety (life flights and fire suppression), economic activity, real estate values, and to the future growth and vitality of the greater Desert Aire community.
For example, the Desert Aire Regional Airport (DARA) has been the operations center for wildfire fights using helicopters with water buckets and 'super scoopers'. During one of the more recent fire fighting operations, the Saddle Mountain fire of July 10, 2020, local grocery stores provided several hundred sack lunches per day for ground and air fire fighters during the four day operation. There was no loss of life and minimal loss of property.
The airport serves as an aerial medical evacuation site for LIFEFLIGHT patients in Beverly, Schwana, Mattawa, Desert Aire, and the surrounding area. The airport was used to airlift six seriously injured PUD workers after an industrial accident at Wanapum Dam in 2017. All personnel survived their injuries.
The airport provides a transportation link between international buyers and local agribusiness.
So we hope that upon reflection, you will agree that the Airport District is important to the future of Desert Aire and that you will vote to pass this levy come November.
Updated: 6Aug2020-VSH