This week's Force Protection Equipment Demonstration isn't the only thing that's been going on at the Stafford Regional Airport.
Airport Manager Ed Wallis said there has been a good deal of interest in the airport from both private aircraft owners and companies since the Stafford County Board of Supervisors drastically cut the personal-property tax rate on planes kept there.
The supervisors last month cut the personal-property tax rate on aircraft from $3 per $100 of assessed value to .01 cent per $100. The move put Stafford's aircraft tax rate on par with rates for planes at competing airports in Manassas and Leesburg.
No taxes will be collected on any aircraft, as the low rate will not generate a bill large enough to justify the mailing costs, said Scott Mayausky, Stafford's commissioner of revenue. For example, a $1 million aircraft will generate a $1 tax bill. State law allows treasurers to discount or write off small tax bills if the administration cost exceeds the revenue generated.
Stafford airport officials argued that the lower rate was essential to attract corporate hangars and private aircraft owners. They said that would lead to increased revenue from fuel sales and taxes on corporate hangars.
Wallis said the airport leased four hangars to private aircraft within days of the tax rate being reduced April 21. Two more were leased the next week, and four contracts are being reviewed by potential tenants. Thirteen of the 40 personal aircraft hangars remain available.
In addition, Wallis said, two corporate groups contacted the airport about leasable space for development. He said the tax rate was the first topic of discussion with the corporate representatives. Wallis didn't give any specifics about the corporate groups.
"Lots of buzz throughout the aviation community about the tax reduction," Wallis said.
Not everyone was pleased with the cut. Supervisors Joe Brito and Bob Woodson voted against it. Ted A. Parks, who lives close to the airport, recently wrote a letter to the editor of The Free Lance-Star that said airport supporters have told "outrageous lies."
"We have been hearing of the money falling from the sky [fictional profits from this airport] for 20 years," Parks wrote. "Yet, to date, nearly $60 million has been wasted on this boondoggle, with no return in sight."
Bill Freehling: 540/374-5405
Email: bfreehling@freelancestar.com