Cox joins hunt for JWA reimbursement

Paul Clinton

Rep. Chris Cox has joined county supervisors in a push to secure full

federal reimbursement for the costs of adding security skein to the

airport.

Airport managers shelled out $34.3 million, mostly last year, to

meet the post-Sept. 11 federal mandate to screen 100% of all baggage.

Bomb-detection devices were installed, along with a bundle of new

measures, to halt any potential terrorist threat.

Cox said money could be available in President Bush’s request for

the more than $70 billion to finance the war in Iraq and bolster

security on the home front.

“There could be money available in the next several days,” Cox

said. “Security costs to protect us against terrorism should be

shared by all Americans. The requirements to protect us from

terrorism are too substantial to be funded by what we have

euphemistically called user fees.”

Instead of raising landing fees or other costs on travelers and

other airport users, Cox and others say the year-old Transportation

Security Administration should shoulder these costs.

Supervisor Bill Campbell met with Cox Wednesday to lobby for the

reimbursement. Supervisor Jim Silva also said he has discussed the

matter with Newport Beach’s congressman. Silva’s second district

includes the airport.

“We want to be reimbursed,” Silva said. “Since we were one of the

first airports to go online with that, we want to be one of the first

to be reimbursed.”

JWA was one of the nation’s first airports to comply with the Dec.

31 federal mandate the security administration had set.

With Cox’s help, the county hopes to pin down two separate funding

outlays. Of the $34.3 million, airport managers have secured an

$11-million administration grant and a $10-million grant from the

Federal Aviation Administration. They hope to find $13.2 million for the remainder.

The airport is also looking for a $3-million payment for

additional ongoing costs associated with the work, such as

maintenance, power and other utilities.

On Tuesday, supervisors endorsed a bill introduced by two House

Democrats that could, in addition to the Bush proposal, also cover

the $13 million.

“The legislation is needed because there is nothing current that

provides for the reimbursement,” Deputy Airport Director Christie

McDaniel said. “We need specific language.”