Salem council may add staff at airport: Full-time position would be paid from airport revenue

A recent report by Urban Development Director John Wales suggests current staffing levels at the Salem Airport do not meet the airport's needs. 
Kobbi R. Blair / Statesman Journal

The Salem City Council will consider adding a full-time position at the Salem Airport during tonight's meeting.

In a report to council, Urban Development Director John Wales indicated that current airport staffing levels are not adequate to meet the airport's needs, including Federal Aviation Administration regulations, management of construction projects and support for other council-directed activities.

The city is planning a runway extension to improve the airport's ability to handle larger aircraft — and its attractiveness to business.

The Airport currently operates with four full-time employees — an administrator, an operations manager and two maintenance positions.

The report said similarly sized airports have six to 14 employees handling a comparable number of operations and tenants. At current staffing levels, employees are required to work extra hours to do everything that is needed.

City planners have recommended adding an airport operation specialist position with a projected annual cost of $83,210 in wages and benefits.

If approved by the council, the position will be included in the 2012-13 fiscal budget and funded through airport revenues, primarily income from lease holders.

The proposed addition comes as the city tries to cut costs by $10.5 million during the next four years. The city already has eliminated more than 30 positions this year to make up for the budget shortfall. Many were vacant, but more than 10 came in the form of layoffs.

Salem Police Department has had to cut five sworn officer positions, and Salem Fire Department will reduce hours at Fire Station 11 to make up for the budget shortfall this year.

If you go

What: Salem City Council

When: 6:30 pm. today

Where: Room 240, Salem City Hall, 555 Liberty St. SE

Information: www.cityofsalem.net or (503) 588-6255

Watch live: www.CCTVSalem.org or CCTV Channel 21 on Salem cable.

Watch later: Replays on cable on 9 a.m. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. Fridays and 7 p.m. Sundays. Replays anytime on the website.

Source:  http://www.statesmanjournal.com