THE TRI CITIES AIRPORT COMMISSION HAS COME TO A TENTATIVE CONCLUSION CONCERNING PLANS TO ESTABLISH AN AIRPORT AUTHORITY. SIX AREA MUNICIPALITIES JOINTLY OWN THE AIRPORT. THEY ARE BRISTOL TENNESSEE/VIRGINIA, KINGSPORT, JOHNSON CITY, SULLIVAN COUNTY AND WASHINGTON COUNTY TENNESSEE. AIRPORT COMMISSIONERS HAVE SPENT THE LAST TEN YEARS WORKING TO CREATE AN AIRPORT AUTHORITY WHICH IS A SPECIAL MUNICIPAL CORPORATION THAT WOULD ASSUME OWNERSHIP OF THE FACILITY. LIABILITY CONCERNS HAVE BEEN THE PRIMARY REASON FOR DEVELOPING THIS STATUS. CONGRESS WOULD HAVE TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL BEFORE IT COULD BE CHANGED. A SPECIAL MEETING WILL BE HELD THIS THURSDAY AT NORTHEAST STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE AT SIX O’CLOCK TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.