Airport Board changes leave Ashland out

A new plan by City of Columbia officials would take away a seat on the Columbia Regional Airport board from the City of Ashland.

The news comes as Columbia officials plan management changes at the airport and begin to plan airport improvements. It also comes at a time in which the City of Ashland is working to contract with the City of Columbia to provide wastewater treatment for the airport and surrounding businesses.

The plan, approved at Monday night’s Columbia City Council meeting, will have advisory board representatives nominated from different sectors.

Boone County Presiding Commissioner Dan Atwill will have one nomination and that could be an Ashland person, a Columbia spokesperson said.

Ashland Mayor Gene Rhorer said he is working towards working with the City of Columbia as both cities have interests in the airport.