|
Date: |
November 17, 2026 and December 8, 2026 |
14 |
Title
Adopt an Ordinance to Amend the Schedule of Rates and Charges and Use Control Policy for County Airports to Delegate Authority to Award Low-Value, Short-Term Leases, Establish Carrier Turn Fees, Remove Restrictions on Waivers, and Make Other Changes to Clarify Existing Provisions, and Related CEQA Exemption (11/17/26 - Adopt Recommendations Including Introducing an Ordinance; 12/8/26 - Adoption of Ordinance (Unless Modified) (Districts: 2, 3, & 5)
End
Overview
The County of San Diego (County) operates and maintains seven airports and is responsible for keeping these airport facilities well-maintained to support aviation operations and serve the community. County Airports are funded by the Airport Enterprise Fund (AEF), independent of the County’s General Fund. The AEF is funded through a combination of airport rental revenue, user fees, interest, and State and federal grant funding. This proposed item would amend the Schedule of Rates and Charges and Use Control Policy for the County of San Diego Airports (Ordinance). The Ordinance was established by the County Board of Supervisors (Board) on May 27, 1975 (56) and includes authorization granted by the Board to the Director of Airports to execute low-value, short-term leases and licenses. This authority was last granted 5 years ago on December 8, 2021 (4), expires on December 8, 2026, and must be reauthorized to continue.
The proposed reauthorization will bring County Airports delegated authority threshold for leases and licenses into alignment with the Department of General Services (DGS) delegated authority, streamlining business practices across the County Enterprise. With the amendment, County Airports will have delegated authority to issue leases and licenses for a term of up to 10-years and a monthly rent of $25,000 or less. It would amend the schedule so that turn fees will be collected separately from rent costs, allowing consistent fee collection across all carriers. In addition, this item removes the 30-day limit on waiving rates and charges for users who need to access airport services during an emergency or other special event and will make other minor administrative changes. All of these structural and administrative changes are described in more detail in the following section.
1. Revise the Director of Public Works (Director) lease and license authority: The Director is currently authorized to issue leases and licenses of up to 10 years with a monthly rent of $10,000 or less. Today’s reauthorization of delegated authority in the Schedule of Rates and Charges includes an update to the delegated authority provided to the Director to issue leases and licenses of up to 10 years with a monthly rent of $25,000 or less, which is aligned with the current authority delegated to the Director of General Services. Leases and licenses that fall below this threshold do not require Board approval. Updating this authority threshold is critical for managing the County's 142 active short-term leases and licenses through County Airports and would allow staff to process agreements in roughly 10 working days for under $300, whereas requiring direct Board approval for each would add up to six months of processing time and increase staff costs by up to $3,800 per request.
2. Establish turn fee collection process: Turn fees are a charge an airport levies for each flight operation, such as a takeoff and landing. These fees were previously collected from carriers by rent provision and are not a new fee. This item will establish the separate collection of turn fees within the Schedule of Rates and Charges, independent of a carrier’s rent costs, ensuring equitable treatment by creating consistent fee collection across all carriers whether they have a lease with the County or not. This subsequently lowers the monthly rent total collected for commercial and all other leases that would otherwise have had a turn fee rent provision, potentially bringing the lease under the Director’s delegated lease authority threshold. This action does not change the total amount collected by County Airports in current operations.
3. Adjust the current 30-day limit on the waiver of fees: In the case of an emergency or special event, the Director is currently able to waive rates and charges for airport services for up to 30 days, so that users of the airport can properly respond to the corresponding issues or needs in these circumstances. Adjustments to this policy would remove the 30-day limit on waivers, and remove the fundraising requirement for charitable events.
4. Minor administrative changes: Corrects and reformats provisions within the Schedule of Rates and Charges such as title errors, adjusts definitions, and removes duplicate language, as well as clarifying fee formulas to allow for rounding to the nearest dollar amount for customs user fees and vehicle parking user fees, and clarifies the cost-of-living definitions within the fuel fees.
Amendment of the Schedule of Rate and Charges requires two steps. On November 17, 2026, the Board is requested to approve introduction of an Ordinance to amend the schedule. If the Board takes action on November 17, 2026, then on December 8, 2026, the Board will consider and adopt the proposed Ordinance amending the schedule.
Title
Recommendation by Chief Administrative Officer:
1. Find that the proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the proposed ordinance amendment may have a significant effect on the environment.
2. Approve the introduction of the Ordinance:
An Ordinance to Amend the Schedule of Rates and Charges and Use Control Policy for County of San Diego Airports to Delegate Authority to Award Low-Value, Short-Term Leases, Establish Carrier Turn Fees, Remove Restrictions on Waivers, and Make Other Changes to Clarify Existing Provisions.
If on November 17, 2026, the Board takes the action as recommended, then on December 8, 2026:
1. Adopt the following Ordinance:
An Ordinance to Amend the Schedule of Rates and Charges and Use Control Policy for County of San Diego Airports to Delegate Authority to Award Low-Value, Short-Term Leases, Establish Carrier Turn Fees, Remove Restrictions on Waivers, and Make Other Changes to Clarify Existing Provisions.
2. Waive Board Policy B-29 to allow for the waiver of airport fees and charges by the Airports Director beyond the current 30-day period provided in the Schedule of Rates and Charges to facilitate emergency response and better support for airport operations.
Title
Equity Impact Statement
The seven airports owned and operated by the County Airports provide vital air transportation hubs and emergency response facilities, and serve as economic engines, supporting airport users as well as the region’s residents. County Airports pursues delivery of these services in a fair and equitable manner and actively works to remove barriers, encourage participation, and provide competitive opportunities for small businesses that traditionally have less working capital and business owners and managers that may be socially and economically-disadvantaged, through public outreach and added consideration in our procurement and leasing selection criteria.
Sustainability Impact Statement
The base monthly rent from airport leases helps to support economic sustainability by supporting aviation services and facilities that serve the region. The revenue that County Airports will receive from leases will help operate, maintain, and improve the County Airport System consistent with the County sustainability goal of providing just and equitable access to County services and resources in support of sustainable communities.
Fiscal Impact
Funds for this request are included in Department of Public Works, Airport Enterprise Fund Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operational Plan. If approved, this request will result in current year total revenue of $3,668,490. The funding sources are short term leases, licenses, and permits ($817,390) and airport rates and user fees ($2,851,100). In the event of an emergency, if the Director chooses to waive fees, the funding source for fee waivers would be available prior year Airport Enterprise Fund fund balance. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
Business Impact Statement
Leases at airports benefit the local business community by creating jobs, increasing economic activity, providing business opportunities, and supporting infrastructure development. Revenue derived from airport leases and user fees allows the Department of Public Works to operate and maintain the seven County airports safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively without the use of general fund dollars. The proposed actions introduce and seek approval of an amendment to an existing ordinance to extend and increase delegated authority to award low-value, short-term leases. This delegation provides a cost-effective means of awarding leases that would otherwise have to be heard by the Board, supporting the self-sufficiency and economic viability of the County airport system. Lastly, with the County’s adoption of the Working Families Ordinance (WFO), lessees’ qualifying construction projects will require lessees to pay prevailing wages, use a skilled-and-trained workforce, and provide their employees with paid sick leave.
Advisory Board Statement
Three of the County’s seven airports have advisory boards, Fallbrook Airpark, Gillespie Field, and McClellan-Palomar Airport.
On September 21, 2026, the Fallbrook Airpark Advisory Committee recommended, by a vote of 4 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 0 Abstentions, with 1 absent and 0 vacant seat, that the Board approve the Schedule of Rates and Charges and Use Control Policy for County of San Diego Airports.
On September 16, 2026, the Gillespie Field Development Council recommended, by a vote of 5 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 0 Abstentions, with 0 absent and 0 vacant seats, that the Board approve the Schedule of Rates and Charges and Use Control Policy for County of San Diego Airports.
On September 17, 2026, the Palomar Airport Advisory Committee recommended, by a vote of 5 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 0 Abstentions, with 3 absent and 1 vacant seat, that the Board of Supervisors (Board) approve the Schedule of Rates and Charges and Use Control Policy for County of San Diego Airports.
Background
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) may, consistent with Government Code section 25537, delegate authority to County staff to issue short-term airport leases or licenses which is outlined in the Schedule of Rates and Charges and Use Control Policy for County of San Diego Airports (Ordinance). This authority must be renewed every five years. The current authority expires on December 8, 2026. Today’s action would reauthorize this existing authority for another 5 years and allow for leases and licenses to be awarded for a term of up to 10 years with a monthly rent of $25,000 or less, consistent with authority currently delegated to the Director of the Department of General Services (DGS).
The County of San Diego (County) operates and maintains seven airports: Borrego Valley Airport, Fallbrook Airpark, Gillespie Field, Jacumba Airport, McClellan-Palomar Airport, Ocotillo Airport, and Ramona Airport. These airports are all funded by the Airport Enterprise Fund (AEF), independent of and without cost to the General Fund. The AEF is funded through a combination of lease and rental revenue, user fees, interest, and State and federal grant funding. The Schedule of Rates and Charges and Use Control Policy for County of San Diego Airports Ordinance was established by the County Board of Supervisors (Board) on May 27, 1975 (56) and includes authorization granted by the Board to the Director of Public Works (Director) to execute low-value, short-term leases and licenses. There are currently 142 short-term leases and licenses on County Airports property. The most common lease type issued under this authority is for aircraft parking, which has a high turnover, as pilots relocate to and from County’s airports. These leases are requested on short notice and the requirement for Board approval would limit the County’s ability to accommodate such requests, potentially adding six months to the processing time and up to $3,800 in staff costs. Currently, it takes approximately 10 working days and less than $300 in staff time to process an aircraft parking lease. Licenses under this authority include uses such as aircraft detailing, taxi services, and geotechnical monitoring, and surveying. The cost savings associated with using delegated authority to award licenses rather than seeking Board approval are the same as for leases.
The amendment of the Schedule of Rates and Charges before the Board includes several changes, such as bringing County Airports delegated authority threshold for leases and licenses into alignment with the authority already provided to the Director of DGS. This would help to streamline business practices across the County Enterprise with the issuance of up to 10 year leases and licenses and a $25,000 or less monthly rent. It would further amend the schedule so that turn fees will be collected separately from rent costs, this way these fees can be collected from a user whether they have a lease or not. In addition, this item extends the 30-day limit on waiving rates and charges for users who need to access airport services during an emergency or other special event, and will make other minor administrative changes.
Primary changes to the Schedule of Rates and Charges would include:
1. Revising the Director of Public Works (Director) lease and license authority: The Director is currently authorized to issue leases and licenses of up to 10 years with a monthly rent of $10,000 or less. Today’s reauthorization of delegated authority in the Schedule of Rates and Charges, includes an update to the delegated authority provided to the Director to issue leases of up to 10 years with a monthly rent of $25,000 or less, which is aligned with the current authority delegated to the Director of DGS. Leases that fall below this threshold do not require Board approval. Updating this authority threshold is critical for managing the County's 142 active short-term leases and licenses through County Airports and would allow staff to process agreements in roughly 10 working days for under $300, whereas requiring direct Board approval for each would add up to six months of processing time and increase staff costs by up to $3,800 per request. (Part VI Leasing or Licensing of County Airport Property)
2. Establish turn fee collection process: Turn fees are a charge an airport levies for each flight operation, such as a takeoff and landing. These fees were previously collected from carriers by rent provision and are not a new fee. This item will establish the separate collection of turn fees within the Schedule of Rates and Charges, independent of a carrier’s rent costs, ensuring equitable treatment by creating consistent fee collection across all carriers whether they have a lease with the County or not. This subsequently lowers the monthly rent total collected for leases which potential commercial airline leases rates would fall under that would otherwise have had a turn fee rent provision. This would potentially bring the lease under the Director’s delegated lease authority threshold. This action does not change the total amount collected by County Airports in current operations. (Part IV Commercial Airline Operations)
3. Adjust the current 30-day limit on the waiver of fees: In the case of an emergency or special event, the Director is currently able to waive rates and charges for airport services for up to 30 days, so that users of the airport can properly respond to the corresponding issues or needs in these circumstances. Adjustments to this policy would add language that allows for waivers beyond the 30 days. The amendment would also clarify that waivers for charitable events are not limited to charitable “fund-raising” activities. Today’s action includes a waiver of Board Policy B-29, Full Cost Recovery, to allow for an extension of authority to waive fees in response to an emergency or when necessary for special events for more than 30 days. The removal of the “fund-raising” language clarifies that the existing waiver provision for charitable events applies to charitable activities generally and is not an expansion of the current waiver provision. (Part I General)
4. Minor administrative changes: Corrects and reformats provisions within the Schedule of Rates and Charges such as title errors, adjusts definitions, and removes duplicate language, as well as clarifying fee formulas to allow for rounding to the nearest dollar amount for customs user fees and vehicle parking user fees, and clarifies the cost-of-living definitions within the fuel fees. (Parts III, Landing Fees, VI Processing Fees, Part VIII Custom User Fees, Part IX Fuel Fees, Part X Vehicle Parking User Fees)
This action requires two steps. On November 17, 2026, the Board is requested to approve introduction of an Ordinance to amend the schedule If the Board takes action on November 17, 2026, then on December 8, 2026, the Board would be requested to consider and adopt the proposed Ordinance amending the schedule.
Environmental Statement
Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines exempts actions from CEQA review where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility to action may have an impact on the environment. The proposed action includes the approval of an ordinance to amend the Schedule of Rates and Charges and Use Control Policy for the County of San Diego, Airports Division, to delegate authority for low-value, short-term leases, establish fees, and take other administrative actions. The proposed amendment does not authorize any action that could have an impact on the environment. The amendment is administrative in nature. Therefore, the proposed action is exempt from CEQA review by Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines.
Linkage to the County of San Diego Strategic Plan
Today’s proposed action supports the Economic Sustainability Strategic Initiative in the County of San Diego’s 2026-2031 Strategic Plan. Revenue derived from airport leases is placed in the County’s Airport Enterprise Fund, which aligns services to available resources, maintaining fiscal stability, and ensuring long-term solvency by using lease revenue for ongoing maintenance and operation of County Airports. Airports in San Diego County are an important part of the County’s physical infrastructure and the federal transportation system and provide superior service delivery to the local aviation customers and the public which they serve.
Respectfully submitted,
DAHVIA LYNCH
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment(s)
Attachment A - An Ordinance to Amend the Schedule of Rates and Charges and Use Control Policy for County of San Diego Airports to Delegate Authority to Award Low-Value, Short-Term Leases, Establish Carrier Turn Fees, Remove Restrictions on Waivers, and Make Other Changes to Clarify Existing Provisions (Clean)
Attachment B - An Ordinance to Amend the Schedule of Rates and Charges and Use Control Policy for County of San Diego Airports to Delegate Authority to Award Low-Value, Short-Term Leases, Establish Carrier Turn Fees, Remove Restrictions on Waivers, and Make Other Changes to Clarify Existing Provisions (Informational)
Attachment C - Turn Fee Analysis