By Maria Polletta | The Arizona Republic
Three weeks after Apache Junction Mayor John Insalaco formally expressed interest in making his city part of the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority, the airport board has authorized Gateway staff to set the process in motion.
On Monday the board directed airport officials to begin working with city managers and other staff from Mesa, Gilbert, Phoenix, Queen Creek and the Gila River Indian Community — the authority’s existing members — to prepare the documents needed for the board to formally vote on the inclusion of Apache Junction.
Those documents include a loan agreement between the airport and Apache Junction, revisions to the Joint Powers Authority agreement and intergovernmental agreement and any necessary changes to the airport’s fiscal 2014-15 budget. The airport authority and Apache Junction would be required to execute an annual promissory note.