Gwinnett Airport Citizens Board Meets

The citizens panel that is checking into the potential privatization of county-owned Briscoe Field held its first meeting Tuesday in Lawrenceville, according to news reports. 

The group will have no formal decision-making power, but is acting in an oversight capacity.

Many board members said privatizing the airport without allowing for commercial service is unlikely.

"It's not a burden on county operations," said Lawrenceville Councilman Tony Powell, a member of the advisory group, after noting that Briscoe Field's revenues cover expenses. "It has been put out there as a potential future revenue source."

The panel's next meeting is set for Nov. 15. It then is expected to have a conference call with , which is working with Gwinnett BOC members on RFPs for potential private partners.

Tip Cape, a builder who currently serves as vice chair of the airport authority, was elected unanimously to serve as chairman.