Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation transferring control of the Naples Airport Authority from City Hall to voters, mandating countywide elections for all board seats starting in 2026.
The measure (HB 4005), sponsored by Naples Republican Rep. Adam Botana, marks a significant change in how the board that oversees the Naples Municipal Airport is composed and selected.
Under the new law, all five members of the Naples Airport Authority will be elected by voters across Collier County beginning with the 2026 General Election — replacing the current system in which the Naples City Council appoints board members.
The overhaul also formalizes geographic representation on the board. Three seats will be reserved for residents within the city of Naples, while two seats must be held by residents living in unincorporated areas of Collier County outside city limits.
Botana and other supporters have argued the airport serves a regional population and that governance should reflect its impact on other Collier County residents. Critics — particularly city officials — have warned the move could dilute local control over decisions related to airport operations and expansion within city limits.
The law also establishes qualification requirements for candidates seeking a seat on the Authority. Prospective members must have at least five years of experience in financial management, small-business operations or the aerospace industry and must affirm those credentials when qualifying for the ballot.
The legislation also removes several provisions from the Authority’s governing structure, including restrictions preventing city employees from serving on the board and language prohibiting compensation for members.
All five seats will appear on the ballot beginning with the 2026 General Election. Members elected to odd-numbered seats will serve four-year terms, while those elected to even-numbered seats will initially serve two-year terms before transitioning to standard four-year cycles.
Current Authority members will continue serving until the certification of election results, at which point the newly elected board will take over.
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