Branson airport requests city financing

The Branson Board of Aldermen heard a request Nov. 14 to enter into an agreement, under which the city would pay a flat fee to the airport for each passenger who arrives and stays in Branson.

The fee would help offset the cost of the $114 million project. The airport receives no other city funding.

The board has asked city administration to draft an agreement to bring back to the board early next year, at which point the fee will be negotiated. The airport is expected to be completed in late 2007.

In other business, the board gave final approval to an ordinance to exercise the power of eminent domain for a new access road to Cedar Ridge Elementary School.

Darrell Ledbetter, the owner of the property where the road is to go, and the Branson School District had been in negotiation to construct the road for several months, but discussions had stalled.

The ordinance was heard by the board and given initial approval Oct. 24.