Council looks at role with airport management

The city of Shawano is expected to discuss the possibility of stepping away from its partnership with Shawano County on the local airport next month after members of the Shawano Common Council broached the subject on Jan. 13.

The issue came up as the council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the county. According to City Administrator Eddie Sheppard, this MOU replaces a previous version and simplifies a lot of the information, breaking down the responsibilities of each party.

“When we started taking a closer look at some things and we sat down with the county, they weren’t sharing some things and we weren’t sharing some things,” Sheppard said. “The biggest change was that we agreed that all of the assets would be under Shawano County through their insurance, and then the city and the county would continue to split things as we always have.”

Alderwoman Sandy Steinke, who is also a member of the Shawano County Board of Supervisors, questioned whether the city could simplify things further by letting the county handle the airport alone, with all the rewards and responsibilities going to that entity alone.

“Couldn’t we give the county the airport?” Steinke said. “It’s just a thought. What benefit would it be to the city either way?”

Acting Mayor Rhonda Strebel said the matter could be put on the next agenda, although she was concerned that stepping away from the airport could be detrimental to the city.

“We might lose our voice in some of the decisions,” Strebel said. “I think this (MOU) really cleans things up. This puts the city in a better position.”

Sheppard agreed that it was better to have the airport as a joint venture between the city and the county.

“Being part of that is beneficial to the city,” Sheppard said.

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com