News Summary
Jacksonville faces a standoff between the City Council and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority over proposed budget amendments aimed at improving investments in the aerospace sector at Cecil Spaceport. While Council Vice President Nick Howland backs these initiatives, the JAA asserts its independence and legal standing, declaring it is not required to follow City Council resolutions. As both parties prepare for upcoming meetings to address these budget concerns, the implications for Northeast Florida’s aerospace industry continue to unfold.
Jacksonville is experiencing a conflict between the City Council and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) over proposed budget amendments that aim to increase investments in the aerospace sector at Cecil Spaceport. City Council Vice President Nick Howland has been advocating for these initiatives to bolster the aerospace industry in Northeast Florida, but the JAA is resisting these changes.
The Council Finance Committee, which includes Howland, approved amendments in mid-August to allocate $13 million for improvements at Cecil Spaceport, hiring a consultant, and exploring additional capital improvements at Cecil Airport. This funding was included in the newly approved 2025-26 city budget on September 24.
In response to these developments, Howland filed a resolution that proposes new requirements for JAA’s board membership and calls for changes to its operational focus. This includes renaming JAA as the Jacksonville Aviation and Aerospace Authority and requiring the authority to submit an economic development plan during its annual budget review. According to the state legislation mentioned in Howland’s resolution, any new board members appointed by the mayor and governor must possess aerospace industry experience.
JAA has responded to Howland’s proposals by asserting its independence. The authority obtained a legal opinion stating that the City Council has overstepped its authority and that JAA is not obligated to adhere to Council resolutions. JAA board chair Michelle Barnett reaffirmed this position, stating that the authority does not require budget appropriations from the City Council. The board has been advised by legal counsel that any amendments imposed by the Council could infringe on JAA’s governance.
The JAA is scheduled to meet on September 29 to consider resolutions opposing Howland’s budget amendments. Additionally, the board’s legal opinion indicates that JAA could seek declaratory and injunctive relief against the Council if necessary. For the 2025-26 budget, JAA projects an operating revenue of $149.7 million, with no funds expected from the city. Furthermore, JAA has a capital budget totaling $49 million for the same fiscal period.
While JAA has expressed its priorities in terms of budget allocation, the councilman argues that these initiatives would stimulate job growth and economic development with minimal risk to JAA’s finance plan, which is planned to utilize reserve funds. However, JAA President and CEO Mark VanLoh cited other high-priority projects within the authority as reasons for not fast-tracking updates at the spaceport. The Federal Aviation Administration has also stated that proposed improvements for a training center discussed with JAA are not authorized uses of airport funding.
Significantly, Texas-based Otto Aviation is set to shift its operations to Cecil, investing $430 million to establish a new manufacturing facility for its Phantom 3500 corporate jet. This development is anticipated to create jobs and enhance the aerospace industry in Northeast Florida. Additionally, Project Bluebird, a prospective passenger jet manufacturer, is in discussions with JAA about building a substantial facility at Cecil Airport that projects to create hundreds of jobs. The city of Jacksonville and the state are considering further incentives for attracting Project Bluebird, including tax rebates and grants.
As the situation unfolds, a Duval County legislative delegation hearing for Howland’s local bill is scheduled for October 22, which could play a pivotal role in determining the future of aerospace investment initiatives in Jacksonville. The potential conflict between the City Council and JAA highlights the complexity of governance and economic development in the region.
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Additional Resources
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Aviation Authority Pushback
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville
- The News-Press: Port Authority Opinion
- Google Search: Jacksonville Aviation Authority
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Cecil Airport Taxiway Extension
- Google Scholar: Jacksonville Aerospace Development
- Action News Jax: City Council Changes
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jacksonville Aviation
- Florida Politics: JAX Airport Busy
- Google News: Jacksonville Airport
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
