Ongoing disagreement about hangar rental rates at the Allen County Airport have resulted in a business owner ending his relationship with the county.
“He’s through with the county and the problems he has with the county,” Robert Poydack, airport manager said. “I don’t know what else to do. He’s our biggest customer.”
The subject sparked debate during Tuesday’s county commission meeting.
Commissioner David Lee led the charge, pressing Public Works Director Mitch Garner and Poydack about how the recently set fees were determined.
“We found out last week that the hangar rates had already been set,” Lee said. “We didn’t know about it. There was some discussion about it, but the discussion was never completed. The amount that was given to the two business owners was less than what we even discussed.”
The two businesses involved are Home Safe Aviation LLC, owned by Scott Tholen, which specializes in maintenance for single and twin-engine aircraft, and Black Horse Aviation, owned by Vince Hill, which operates an aircraft paint refinishing and polishing facility.
LEE EXPRESSED concern over the rate of $375 per month. “I think $375 a month is a giveaway,” he said. “If that hangar costs us $170,000 and we charge $375 a month, that’s 37.78 years before those payments pay it off. We can’t afford to support the airport out there like that.”
Despite the financial concern, Lee acknowledged the value of supporting local enterprise. “Home Safe Aviation LLC — I think that is a legitimate business,” he said. “I have no problem with helping a business like that.”
As for Black Horse Aviation, Lee had reservations, accusing it of using the hangar for storage.
“They just store the aircraft in the hangar,” Lee said. “I’m not looking to create a 50X50 storage space for somebody.” 
Poydack and Garner disputed Lee’s assessment.
Poydack said Black Horse Aviation had recently lost a full-time employee who had previously been working there every day. He also shared that he received a call from Hill the night before the commission meeting.
“He told me that with the problems that he has with the commission not treating him as an equal, that he doesn’t want that hangar now,” Poydack said. “He doesn’t want anything to do with that hangar. We could offer it to him for $50 a month — he wouldn’t take it.”
Hill has also relinquished six of the T-hangars he was previously using.
COMMISSIONER Jerry Daniels countered, sharing his own experience with airport operations. “They’re adamant about not allowing people to stack hay in the hangars or store tractors in them,” he said. “It’s got to be aviation related.” Daniels also noted that Poydack conducts inspections and has previously evicted tenants misusing hangar space.
Poydack said, “I respect you guys, but since the commission hired me five years ago, I have never had to ask permission to set prices for our fuel or hangars.”
