SALISBURY — A bill that would give the county full control of the Rowan County airport property passed its second reading handily Wednesday.
Sen. Andrew Brock’s bill to remove the airport from Salisbury city limits, Senate Bill 269, passed the Senate two weeks ago and was overwhelmingly approved in a voice vote Tuesday in the House Finance Committee. The bill passed 114-11 in a vote on the House floor Wednesday afternoon.
The legislation is prepped for a third and final vote Thursday. If approved, it would be adopted on June 30.
No one from the city or county addressed the House members Wednesday, aside from a brief introduction by Rep. Carl Ford.
For the moment, the city and county both levy a 40 cent tax rate at the airport, bringing in about $86,000 each.
But county officials plan to cut the duty, charging airport owners a pared down 62 cent tax rate in efforts to draw more planes and business.
Commissioners also want to extend the 5,500-foot runway to accommodate larger aircraft, making it more competitive with surrounding municipal airports.