July 2, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
The City of Smithville is in search of a new airport manager.
Joe Johnson, who has held the position for three years, is stepping down as of July 26.
Mayor Josh Miller made that announcement during Monday night’s regular monthly city council meeting but asked the aldermen to appoint Johnson to the city’s airport advisory board. The vote was unanimous.
Johnson, who was also at the meeting, said that while he is retiring he will still be available to help his successor if needed.
“My intentions are to leave July 26 but I know hiring an airport manager may take a week or two longer so it’s okay if I need to stay longer. But when you do hire a new airport manager, I’d like to see the airport continue on the way it’s been going. It’s been progressing and doing good. I think we broke even on it this year for the first time in years. I’d like to keep it rolling so I’ll be available to the new airport manager to help him,” said Johnson.
During his three years as manager, Johnson has helped the city qualify for several grants to improve the airport operation including plans for a new parallel taxiway, which is still in the making.
“You have outdone yourself at the airport Joe. I think we would all agree with that. There are big shoes to fill,” said Mayor Miller.
“We’re sorry to see Joe retire. The city is really going to miss him as airport manager. I’m not sure the citizens will ever really understand what all he has done for the city at the airport. It’s a great loss but he will be part of the transition and he will help train whoever the new airport manager is going to be. With him still being around as part of the airport board that will be a tremendous asset to the city. He will never know how much we appreciate what he has done,” said City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson.
Johnson said he is not due all the credit and thanked others for their support. “What has happened at the airport is not all me. It’s you (mayor, aldermen, and city attorney). Without your support the airport wouldn’t be where it’s at. I’ve never asked for anything I didn’t need but I have never been turned down for anything. I want to thank you for the support you have given me,” said Johnson.
The city will begin the process of accepting applications and resumes which will be reviewed by the airport advisory board for a recommendation to the mayor and aldermen.
In other business, Mayor Miller and the aldermen, without a vote, agreed that the DeKalb County High School Golf Team should not have to pay the fees for using the city golf course to play their regular season or tournament matches and practices as a team. The same waiver had already been extended to the DCHS tennis teams using the city’s tennis courts.
The aldermen, acting on the mayor’s recommendation, also voted to make a change in the city’s vision insurance coverage for employees. Under the current insurance plan, no local optometrists were included in the network.
“We can switch plans at a cost to the city of less than $600 a year and it will cover everyone (city employees) and our local doctors will be in the network,” said Mayor Miller.