Don't expect the county to move on a plan to privatize Westchester County Airport until after Election Day.
A plan to lease the county-owned facility to a private operator, allowing airport revenues to flow into county coffers has proven controversial, and with all 17 members of the Board of Legislators plus County Executive Rob Astorino all up for reelection, it seems officials are content to wait.
"We're shooting for the end of the year," said Astorino spokesman Ned McCormack. "Government doesn't always run as fast as people like."
Astorino first floated the idea of privatization last year, counting on $15 million from a deal with private equity firm Oaktree Capital Management to help fill out his 2017 budget. That deal did not move forward, but the Board of Legislators launched their own privatization process earlier this year, with the hope a deal could be in place by September.
Opponents of the proposal include the powerful Purchase Environmental Protective Association. They worry privatization means expansion and a loss of environmental safeguards and quality of life, citing a draft master plan that projects growth at the airport.
Astorino's office has denied any of that would happen.
McCormack said Astorino — a Republican running for reelection against state Assemblyman George Latimer — will hold a tele-Town Hall on Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. to answer questions on privatization.
Calls will go out to residents around 7:15. Those that wish to participate can answer the call and stay on the line.
Under federal law, all money made at the airport must stay at the airport, though the Federal Aviation Administration has a pilot program allowing privatization. Privatization would allow the county to cut a deal with a private operator that includes payments into the general fund.
"Once people understand the merits and understand there's a significant financial gain ... they're going to be supportive of that," McCormack said.
In August, it was announced three firms, FerroStar Westchester Airport Partners, HPN Aviation Group and MIC Airports, had submitted bids for the airport.
A six-member task force, with three representatives from the legislature and three from Astorino's office, are evaluating the bids.
Legislator MaryJane Shimsky, D-Hastings-on-Hudson, said vetting the proposals could take weeks.
Then, their findings would be sent to Astorino's office before Astorino forwards it to the legislature for approval — which would require a supermajority of 12 votes.
Any deal would also have to be approved by the FAA.
"What I can tell you now is that, essentially, the time schedule is going to pretty much guarantee that nothing will be sent down to us before Election Day," Shimsky said.
The task force is working confidentially. Shimsky said he could not discuss the bids.
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