A lawsuit filed in March by the North Texas Conservation Association is challenging the legality of the funding mechanisms used for the McKinney airport expansion. The group, composed of local residents and neighbors, argues that the city disregarded voter intent by proceeding with the project despite previous rejections of funding measures. This legal action has drawn scrutiny from the Texas attorney general, who also filed a challenge regarding the city’s financing process.
The dispute centers on $30 million in bonds issued last year by the McKinney Community Development Corporation. These bonds, backed by sales tax revenue, were approved by the attorney general to support the airport’s growth, which includes a new commercial passenger terminal. The city is currently utilizing a federal program from the U.S. Department of Transportation to refinance this debt. According to city officials, this refinancing replaces higher-interest debt with lower-interest terms, resulting in significant savings for taxpayers and extending the repayment timeline.
McKinney City Manager Paul Grimes stated that construction is already underway and that the litigation is not expected to halt or slow the expansion. The city maintains that the money has already been spent on the project. The legal challenge is not anticipated to prevent Avelo Airlines from launching its planned commercial flights this fall, which will include five nonstop routes from the facility.
Supporters of the airport argue that McKinney can benefit from becoming the third commercial airport in the North Texas region. Opponents, however, express concerns about the potential for increased noise, traffic, and growth in the suburban area. McKinney is located approximately 7 miles south of Melissa.
