Dear Editor,

I have followed the recent InkFree articles where the city of Warsaw is proposing to turn the Warsaw airport into a city/county airport. It appears the Warsaw airport needs additional taxpayers to fund the airport and its list of future projects.

According to the internet, the city of Warsaw has an approximate population of 16,000 residents; Kosciusko County has a population of approximately 81,000. It appears the Warsaw airport board may be eyeing a larger tax base to fund its activities. In an InkFree article dated Feb. 15, 2023, the airport outlined $35 million to $40 million needed for future projects. Why? And why would Kosciusko County residents want their taxes increased, or rerouted, to pay for the airport?

I live within a few miles of the airport, and I don’t see much air traffic coming from it (primarily recreational/private planes and crop sprayers). I wonder how many residents in Kosciusko County have used the local airport for travel, shipping or business? I often hear local residents say “we have to cater to the orthopedic companies.” This is true to some extent, but not as prevalent as in the past. The Department of Justice investigated practices in orthopedic companies that included suspected influential payments and enhanced treatment to encourage utilization of their products. This past orthopedic activity likely increased local hotel, restaurant, golf course and business economics. The influential “flying in” practice was ultimately discontinued following the DOJ investigations. It now appears the local airport is used by the orthopedic companies to mainly fly in and out the upper level of executives, many who do not reside in Warsaw.

Do we need a city/county airport? Do the surrounding towns and unincorporated communities in the county want to be taxed for a city/county airport? Would it be better for the taxpayers if the airport was sold and turned into a private airport, allowing the recreational and company aircrafts to maintain and control? Why not have the local aviation board supply fundamental information to the public providing taxpayers a better understand of the proposal for a city/county airport? Information such as:

• What is the current operating budget for the Warsaw airport?
• How much revenue does the airport generate in a budget year?
• Many many flights are processed through the airport in a year? How many are private/recreational flights, how many are corporate or other uses, and how much income is derived from each category?
• What economic impact does the airport have on local businesses and industry and how is that calculated?
• Can the airport operate without taxpayer money? What’s the current taxpayer burden? And what will be the future county taxpayer burden for a city/county airport?

With additional insights from the aviation board and communication from our County Council, we taxpayers would have a better understanding of the proposal and any economic impact on the county and county taxpayers.

Does a city/county airport make sense for Kosciusko County?

Should a city/county airport be put on the ballot and voted on by county residents?

Terry Martin
Kosciusko County resident