DANVILLE -- Before the Montour County commissioners approved a new joint airport authority for the Danville-Riverside Airport, pilots questioned them about liability insurance, debt and trees and deer at the airport.

The commissioners said they wanted the authority to try to cut costs and run the airport more efficiently. "You all have a vested interest in it," Commissioners Chairman Trevor Finn told the group of five pilots Tuesday night.

"If things are structured right, we should draw more aircraft and have more access to grant money. That should increase its attractive aspect to business," pilot Craig Lawler said.

The airport, owned by Northumberland and Montour counties since the 1930s, has doubled the number of planes the past five years and added a paved runway.

Commissioners held a public hearing on the proposed authority and approved the resolution. The new authority will replace the airport commission formed in 1996.

Northumberland County commissioners will hold a similar hearing and vote on the resolution. The pilots said they will attend the hearing.

Montour County solicitor Michael Dennehy said the authority is expected take control sometime in January.

Commissioners approved a five-man authority. A pilot and a member-at-large will be selected from each county and a fifth appointee will alternate between counties. Commissioner Jerry Ward said someone with an accounting background could be a good appointee. Finn added: "This doesn't mean a member-at-large can't be a pilot."

Gerst said members of the authority need to understand the airport.

Denny Stahl of Danville asked if authority members would have to live in either county. Dennehy said he didn't think this type of authority would require that, but said he would double check it.

Pilot Mark Fry questioned the cost of liability insurance for authority members. Dennehy said the insurance needs to be reviewed. "I'm not sure the commission got the best deal. It has had the same insurance company," Finn said.

The airport's longtime fixed base operator, Joe Fox, said the same company has provided the insurance since 1981.

Commissioners Vice Chairman Jack Gerst said he wanted some protection for Fox because of his tenure at the airport. Gerst questioned whether the counties would be obligated financially for the airport.

With Montour County paying $2,500 a year to the airport, Finn said it was reasonable the pilots could expect that to continue. Dennehy said both boards of commissioners would make economic development funds a priority to the airport until it grew large enough to develop some revenue.

Dennehy also aid Fox would have the same relationship with the authority he has with the commission, adding it's time to redo Fox's contract.