State Rep. Adam Botana filed a bill Monday seeking an overhaul of Naples Airport Authority governance by shifting power from city appointees to countywide elected officials.
The proposal would transition the five-member board from its current structure, where members are appointed by the Naples City Council, to a new system where all five members are elected by voters across Collier County. The bill would also require candidates to have at least five years of aviation or aerospace experience to qualify for a seat, and would shift the power to fill vacancies to the Governor’s office rather than City Council.
The bill surfaces amid a broader governance tussle with the City of Naples over airport oversight. The legislative push, which the Collier County legislative delegation unanimously backed in September, follows mounting frustration from aviation stakeholders and community members over influence by Naples City Council over the current board.
The existing board recently rejected an estimated $8-$9 million in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants for runway and taxiway improvements under the belief that the funds would strap the airport to long-term oversight by the FAA. Separately, the Naples City Council attempted to assert more development oversight over the airport only to repeal the effort after receiving a legal notice of an incoming lawsuit from airport advocates.
The bill’s proponents argue the airport serves the entire region, and its board should therefore reflect a wider electorate. Critics, however, warn the shift could dilute the influence Naples City Council has over an airport that operates on city-owned land and directly impacts city neighborhoods.
If passed, the new structure would take effect with the November 2026 General Election, when all five seats would be decided by voters. One board member, John Crees, would see his term cut about 2 years short by the election unless elected by Collier County voters.
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Florida Politics reporter Jacob Ogles contributed reporting to this story.
