Newton contributes $78K to Des Moines airport

Instead of donating less than $500,000 to the terminal expansion project at Des Moines International Airport, which was requested by the executive director of the facility one month ago, the Newton City Council on March 7 decided to contribute $15,760 for the next five years. But not all council members approved of the idea.

Although the resolution would eventually pass in a 4-2 vote, some elected officials argued the city’s money could be better used elsewhere. Council member Vicki Wade appreciated that airport executive director Kevin Foley visited the council but wanted to take her constituents’ feedback into account.

“Their reasoning is they make money off the tickets they sell at the airport, with flights coming in and out of Des Moines International. We have a municipal airport here and we will be asked to contribute towards some of those projects in the future,” Wade said. “So I have a very hard time supporting this project.”

Council member Evelyn George said comparing the Des Moines airport to the Newton airport is not a proper comparison. George said the city needs the Des Moines airport to help attract businesses and keep residents happy. Wade countered Newton residents use and need the Cedar Rapids airport, too.

Wade said taxpayer dollars should stay within the community. Council member Mark Hallam said the deciding factor for him is the airport’s plan to present a proposal to the state government showing all these communities and neighboring counties “coming to the game” and supporting the project.

Des Moines International Airport is seeking $34 million from Central Iowa counties and cities to contribute to the more than $575 million terminal expansion and leverage further funding. Foley requested funds from the Jasper County Board of Supervisors and was ultimately turned down.

Originally, the Des Moines airport was asking for a donation from Newton of $30 per capita, which Newton City Administrator Matt Muckler noted would have been six times the amount of the updated request of $5 per capita over a five-year period. Which means the airport would get $78,800 from the city after five years.

Hallam said the city should support the project. Because if the project is presented to the state government for funding, he thinks it will be a very important argument for the airport to have. Still, Wade said there are other ways to improve economic development in the city with the same amount of money.

Council member Craig Trotter took the side of Wade, saying he struggles spending the money. Council member Melissa Dalton said he has struggled with it, too, but asked if there was anyone in the room who does not use the Des Moines airport. If she is traveling, Dalton said it’s the first place she looks.

“There are many people who pay taxes in this community that use that service on a consistent basis,” Dalton said.

Trotter responded, “I get that, but you choose your money to go there. You’re not sending your tax dollars.”

Dalton noted she did not agree with the original ask from the Des Moines airport but felt more comfortable with the updated resolution. Wade agreed. Following the discussion, council members Randy Ervin, Dalton, George and Hallam voted yes, while Trotter and Wade voted no.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com