But Coletta said he had no problem with the grant-incentive program. I'd like to see the county try to get more grants. He is looking into having the county hire employees whose only responsibility would be identifying and getting grants for the county, Coletta said. Susan McManus, a political scientist from the University of South Florida in Tampa, said she had never heard of anyone doing something like the airport's grant-incentive program but said it is the sort of thing that counties have been moving to for a while. Incentive programs can work if there is a thorough and independent audit into all the money paid out, McManus said.
Citizens have to know that everything going on is legitimate.
Henning said he is also bothered because the Airport Authority has an incentive program for fuel sales. If the airport surpasses certain goals, some airport employees get a bonus, he said. Drury said the fuel program is designed to encourage productivity in airport employees. If an employee knows there's something in it for him, he tends to provide better service. The incentive program gives them a reason to return to the airport in the middle of the night if a plane needs fuel, Drury said.