Tupelo groups wrangling over airport expenditures

The Tupelo City Council unanimously voted last week against authorizing a $1.2 million expenditure, from the Tupelo Airport Authority, to repair the taxiway and part of an old runway at the airport primarily used by Universal Asset Management, the airport’s largest tenant. The city has agreed to pay $107,000 for repairs and that UAM should pay the rest. The city contends UAM tore up the taxiway and should pay half. In response, a UAM official insinuated that without the repairs the company may move out. City Council members voiced support for the firm and were said to be willing to negotiate, but, according to Mayor Jason Shelton, the city isn’t going to respond well to ultimatums. Shelton said UAM hasn’t provided sufficient information on how the firm developed their future investment wish-list numbers – between $4 million and $7 million – and are waiting for that additional information. Source: Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Nov. 7, 2013.