I want to take a few moments to address the circumstances surrounding the Naples Airport Authority and how recent proposals may impact our community. On September 15th, a Special Act Bill was presented to the Collier County Delegation, and it has since passed state legislation. This bill, introduced by State Representative Adam Botana and supported by our legislative delegation—including State Representatives Yvette Benarroch and Lauren Melo, and State Senator Kathleen Passidomo—proposes changing the governance of the Naples Airport Authority.
Specifically, it would shift the board from being appointed to being elected by all voters in Collier County. While this may sound like a simple procedural change, it has profound implications for the City of Naples because the airport sits on land owned by our city.
The Naples Airport Authority was established decades ago to operate on this city-owned land, under a long-term lease designed to support aviation, business, and community services. Over the years, the airport has grown into a regional hub, benefiting not only Naples but Collier County as a whole.
The concern is clear: under this proposal, the decision-making power for an airport on City-owned property would be placed in the hands of voters across the entire county, not just the residents of Naples. To put this into perspective, Naples has about 16,400 registered voters. Collier County has over 266,000. That means for every Naples voter, there are more than sixteen county voters. Simply put, our voices—the voices of the landowners—would be drowned out.
This is more than just a numbers issue. It’s about fairness, home rule, and accountability. Naples residents live closest to the airport and experience the impacts most directly—noise, traffic, safety, and environmental concerns. Yet under this proposed structure, our residents would have little influence over the very decisions that affect our daily lives and neighborhoods.
Let me be candid: this proposal represents a power shift that threatens Naples’ economic development, quality of life, and control over key resources. Less responsive airport management could have serious consequences for our tourism industry, local infrastructure, and the overall well-being of our community.
Think of it this way: Imagine if your homeowners’ association—your HOA—decided to allow residents from a neighboring town to elect your HOA board members. These are the people making decisions about your neighborhood rules, your landscaping, your common areas, and even assessments. You live there, you pay the dues, you deal with the noise or traffic—but suddenly, the majority of voters who choose your board don’t live in your neighborhood at all.
That’s essentially what this proposal would do with the Naples Airport. The airport sits on city-owned land, and Naples residents live closest to its impacts. Yet under this plan, decisions about the airport’s governance would be made largely by voters from outside our city, leaving us with little say over our own property and community.
We recognize that the airport serves a vital role for all of Collier County, and we value our regional partnerships. But local control is a principle enshrined in our state constitution for a reason. Communities must have a meaningful voice over decisions about the land they own and the quality of life they protect.
City Council and I are carefully reviewing this proposal. We will continue advocating for transparency, accountability, and fairness. We urge Senator Passidomo and our state leaders to reconsider this approach and protect the rights of Naples residents. I also encourage each of you to make your voices heard—contact your elected officials and share your concerns.
Finally, I urge everyone in our community to stay engaged, attend meetings, and speak up. Together, we can ensure that decisions about our airport reflect both regional needs and the interests of the people of Naples.
Thank you, and thank you for your ongoing commitment to our city.
Blessings,
Teresa Lee Heitmann, Mayor
