Clay Hollis, Author at Responsible Government Naples

Naples City Council has voted to give itself more oversight of future development at the Naples Airport — a move critics say could threaten the airport’s independence and future operations.

The resolution, which passed unanimously at the June 18 City Council meeting, requires the Naples Airport Authority to submit updated development plans to the city each year. It also mandates council's approval for major upgrades, new construction, runway extensions, and other significant changes.

Watch the full story here: City council votes for more power over development of Naples Airport

With the promise of legal action by a local government watchdog group, Naples City Council moved forward with a resolution to take more control of the Naples Airport.

City Council voted unanimously Wednesday, June 18, to approve a resolution saying it will now review every permit for anything planned at the airport and laid out details of what the council expects to be presented by the Naples Airport Authority (NAA) in a utilization plan the council reviews.

June 16, 2025
Naples City Council
Naples City Hall
735 8th Street South
Naples, FL 34102

Dear Mayor and Members of the Naples City Council,

We are writing on behalf of Responsible Government Naples to express our deep concern regarding the ongoing actions and comments made by the City Council concerning Naples Airport operations and the Naples Airport Authority (NAA).

Despite clear and consistent public support for the continued safe and efficient operation of Naples Airport, the City Council has repeatedly pursued strategies during public meetings aimed at restricting both the frequency and profile of airport operations. Such efforts seem to overlook the airport’s vital role in the regional economy, public safety, and our community’s connectivity.

Most alarming is the Council's recent attempt to take unauthorized action against the Executive Director of the Naples Airport Authority. This overreach, narrowly averted by timely legal counsel, could have set a dangerous precedent, creating legal and governance issues with far-reaching consequences for both the City of Naples and the Naples Airport Authority. This attempted action reflects an escalating and inappropriate effort by certain Council members to exert control over an independent and well-functioning authority.

The Naples Airport Authority is an independent entity created by the Florida Legislature. Its operations are governed by its own Enabling Act and applicable state law. Federal aviation law, enforced by the FAA, preempts local government attempts to regulate aircraft operations, including noise and flight paths. The City of Naples may not interfere with or impose overreaching restrictions on the lawful operations of the Authority or with aviation activity governed by federal or state law.

The persistent scrutiny and pressure placed on the Airport Authority’s leadership and staff are not only unwarranted but also risk undermining the airport's daily operations. These actions can, have, and will continue to negatively impact employee morale, disrupt management, and, ultimately, compromise the safety of the public and aviation personnel.

Furthermore, we are troubled by the Council’s unwillingness to acknowledge or respect the overwhelming public support for the airport. In fact, during a recent airport sentiment survey, it was demonstrated that over 80% of the Naples community supports the airport and the asset it represents for the community. Instead, the Council continues to focus disproportionate attention on a small group of vocal activists whose objectives and affiliations remain unclear. This disconnect raises serious questions about representation and governance. The citizens of Naples deserve to understand why the Council persists in targeting a public institution that enjoys broad community backing and delivers proven value to our city’s residents and its economy.

We respectfully urge the City Council to reconsider its approach, engage transparently with the wider public, and prioritize constructive collaboration with the Naples Airport Authority. Responsible leadership entails acknowledging public sentiment and operating within the bounds of legal authority for the betterment of our community.

We look forward to meeting with you at your earliest convenience to discuss these concerns, as well as potential remedies that we believe will accomplish your desire for oversight and our community’s need for a safe, successful airport.

Sincerely,
Responsible Government Naples

A trio of candidates for Naples mayor and city council are working together to try to win the seats in order to save the Naples Airport and property rights, they say.

On Feb. 28, mayoral candidate Gary Price and city council candidates Berne Barton and Tony Perez-Benitoa spent time with airport tenants, friends and flying enthusiasts over food and drink. They then followed their hosts at Elite Jets, Paradise Coast Property Team and Naples Jet Center in speaking about the importance of the local airport to the community.

Read the full story here: Naples candidates discuss future of local airport, support current location

Whether the Naples City Council can take on more control of the Naples airport is a question city officials are trying to answer. Council members believe if they have more control, they can reduce volume at the public airport and, therefore, noise.

Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann wants Naples Airport Authority to stop taking grants and wants the City Council to take over running the airport. The rest of the council members expressed similar and additional wants for the airport at its regular meeting Wednesday, including getting answers from the city's outside attorney expert on airports and placing someone on the airport authority board of directors with a goal toward residents' interests and aligning the authority and the City Council in ideals and actions.

Read the full story here: Naples City Council wants more control of airport

Who owns the Naples Airport? Who has ultimate control of growth, master plans and height of flights? Is it the Naples Airport Authority? Is it the Naples City Council? Is it the Federal Aviation Administration?These are questions Naples City Council members want answered before and during a joint workshop with the airport authority's board of commissioners Nov. 7.

Council members agreed they want to work with the Naples Airport Authority (NAA) on a plan for reducing noise levels around the city caused by planes coming and going.

They did not agree on whether it was necessary to hear a presentation about the NAA's exploratory study looking at the feasibility of moving the airport from the center of Naples east into the county.

Read the full story here: Naples City Council wants united front on airport noise

Branimir Brankov felt surprised when Naples leaders started making noise about relocating the Naples Executive Airport.

As an amateur pilot, he was part of a community that loved the facility. A poll later showed broad support for the airport continuing normal operations, even as a vocal minority complained about the noise.

Now, Brankov has helped found Responsible Government Naples, a civic group that will advocate for smart stewardship of public resources in a way that’s responsive to the wider Naples community.

“This is a nonpartisan group of residents who are concerned business and community leaders in Naples, and we came together because we all care,” Brankov told Florida Politics. “We care about how our city is run.”