From Oct. 3 to 5, the annual Pacific Airshow was held again in Huntington Beach (HB). A month before the event, on Sept. 3, the Huntington Beach City Council voted to approve the Airshow Event Agreement settling the disputes between airshow operators and the City Council that have taken place over previous years. The deal entails rights to operate to Code Four, the Pacific Airshow’s management company, for 10 years with possible extensions. A weather impact report and fee coverage are also provided to airshow operators through the deal.
Economic impact is a major focus of this settlement. Bill Harmicar, an economics teacher at Huntington Beach High School (HBHS), said, “The Huntington Beach City Council has agreed to cover most of the costs that normally would be paid for by Code Four, the company running the Pacific Airshow. These costs include permits, public safety (police and fire), beach maintenance and the cost of environmental reviews. Those expenses will be paid for using taxpayer dollars from the HB general fund. The general fund funds police and fire and other public goods like parks and programs. This means there will be less money for other priorities and the city may need to find additional ways to raise revenue. This could mean that HB residents could be forced to pay higher taxes and other fees to try to balance the budget.”
Many disagreements from within the city council have sprouted from the fees that must be covered.
Councilman Chad Williams has made his opinion of the deal clear. In an interview with Voice of OC, Williams said, “I hate to say it, but I just don’t see it. There’s so many numbers we don’t know.”
Those who disagree with the deal because of the financial burden may affirm the thoughts of Councilman Williams, but the vote may reflect a different idea. Other factors like tourism play a part in the economic impact of the airshow deal as well.
When referring to how the Pacific Airshow affects tourism in Huntington Beach, Harmicar said, “The airshow will bring in much needed revenue in the form of tourism dollars. This is good news for hotels, restaurants, retail stores and bars. Local HB residents that work in the restaurant or bar industry should benefit with additional tips from tourists. Furthermore, with the influx of tourists the city will most likely see additional revenue through taxes in the form of the sales tax and the local hotel tax (TOT). It is unknown if the tax revenue will be greater than the money the city council has spent to support the Pacific Airshow.”
As a majority of attendees of the airshow come from outside of Huntington Beach, tourism is a key aspect of the effects of the airshow deal. Some believe that it brings benefits to businesses during the event, which supports Huntington Beach’s economy.
In another interview with Voice of OC, Casey McKeon, a Huntington Beach City Councilman who was involved with previous Airshow disputes said, “It’s already proven that it can be a success. It’s hard to quantify what the financial amount is, but it’s huge.”
Lt. Cmdr. Scott Crowder, a pilot performing in the Pacific Airshow, said, “Getting the opportunity to fly our routine here and talk to spectators from all walks of life in the Huntington Beach area is something that is very special to all of us.”
Crowder and other supporters agree that the Pacific Airshow provides a space of entertainment where people can interact with pilots and learn about avian careers. It additionally allows pilots to get to know the citizens of Huntington Beach.
Discussions of extending the deal will take place after the initial 10 year agreement expires. With three five-year options for extension of the settlement, the Pacific Airshow will remain a prominent event in Huntington Beach for years to come.
