County eyes more flexible lease

CRESTVIEW, Fla. -- Okaloosa County plans to ask Eglin Air Force Base for significantly more flexibility in its lease and operation of Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. County commissioners are set to discuss the proposal at their meeting Tuesday. The 130-acre airport is at the base on land owned by the Air Force. Three months ago the county said it could no longer afford the annual lease payment. Under the new agreement, the county would pay Eglin a flat fee of $400,000 year, and 50 cents per departing passenger for every passenger above the 400,000 mark. The county also plans to ask Eglin to allow the construction of a gas station or convenience store on airport property. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 11/01/15)