Veterans may soon have to pay for parking at the Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport.
Officials at the Killeen Regional Airport feel they are losing too much money due to the number of parking fee exemptions given to service members and veterans.
Tuesday, they presented the problem to city council explaining that they are seeing over a 40 percent loss in parking lot profit and nearly a 12 percent loss in overall profit.
Airport officials said the policies on parking, which includes 23 different exemptions for service members and veterans, needs to change or they will need additional money from the city by 2020. Not everyone feels the free parking for veterans is a bad thing.
Council Member Gregory Johnson said he does not agree with the airport officials.
"Until we address the elephant in the room about finding a budget airline carrier that can offer competitive rates, I'm going to be a no," Johnson said. "I don't see myself supporting, raising or increasing airport parking fees on veterans."
The City of Killeen said it will explore every option before making a final decision. It's not yet clear when that will be.
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