Peachtree City expects this

year's Wings Over Dixie air show to be considerably more

popular than last year's, which means an increase in the

number of public safety officers needed for the show and

more costs to the city.

In view of these needs, the

City Council has approved funding for extra personnel to

work during the event, with a provision for partial

reimbursement based on profits from the show.

Because the show's featured

performers, the Canadian Snowbirds, will be in Peachtree

City for five days, a heavier commitment from the police

and fire departments is required this year, according to

city staff reports. Shows are set for Saturday and

Sunday, May 13-14, but the Snowbirds will arrive in town

Thursday and leave Monday.

The Snowbirds, considered

expected to help attendance at this year's shows rise a

great deal over last fall's total. Air show coordinators

expect 25,000 over the two days, although some consider

that a low estimate, reports indicate.

Council was advised that a

minimum of $21,265 would be needed to compensate public

safety officers for their work at the show over and above

their normal duties.

The Fire Department's

portion of that amount would include a $4,800

contribution to the Peachtree City Volunteer Firefighters

Association for volunteer workers' involvement at the

show, as well as $3,840 to compensate the career

firefighters for their work during that time.

total of 17 volunteers and 11 career personnel (officers,

firefighters, EMT/first responders and paramedics), the

Fire Department expects 224 hours of additional service

Saturday and Sunday. There will be no extra charge for

Thursday, Friday or Monday.

For the Police Department,

a total of 20 will be needed for about 505 man-hours for

security and traffic control in the city limits. That

adds up to $12,625 at the current rate of $25 per hour

that off-duty police have been receiving for past air

shows.

Councilman Annie McMenamin,

who abstained from voting on this issue due to her

position as cochairman of the air show, said that it

would cost $200,000 to stage the show. She added that

there will be competition that weekend from a road race

at Sandy Creek High School, the annual Sharpsburg

Festival, and soccer action at the city's south athletic

complex.

Mayor Bob Lenox noted that

the city obviously has a responsibility to be prepared

for extra public safety needs and bear those costs, but

he added that the show's high profit potential should be

considered when determining how much responsibility Wings

Over Dixie should shoulder for these costs.

Lenox suggested that the

show's organizers set aside 5 percent of any profits

realized from the show to reimburse the city for

additional public safety costs. He made a motion in that

regard, and it passed 4-0.

Not to be overlooked by the

City Council was the prospect of high attendance figures

at the air show being reflected in a significant increase

in business at local hotels, restaurants, gas stations

and other service businesses.