Iowa City residents should hold the council to that decision. Taxpayers should not be expected to continue to provide subsidies that have been averaging $159,000 a year to keep the airport open for private planes and charter flights.

The airport's value to the community is real. A 2002 Iowa Department of Transportation study put its economic impact in Johnson County at $18 million, which could be multiplied as economic development opportunities are pursued. Plus, the airport is an important link in the organ-donor network, and it is being used as the site of a research project to develop and test software to help pilots fly in poor weather.

For those reasons, this last chance should be a real one.

The City Council has asked the Airport Commission to develop a strategic plan, one that won't require a hefty annual subsidy. The council should demand that the strategic plan contain specifics, not just goals.

Airport commissioners said in a story in Sunday's Gazette that the plan will focus on the airport's role as an economic engine for the area, the need for safety, the role marketing will play, and the need for financial independence.

That sounds like a promotional piece intended to do a sales job that's already done. Those issues are understood. Instead, the commission should be working on specific steps and perhaps even a timetable to make the airport self-supporting. How will expenses be cut, if necessary? How will new revenues be generated? How will commission members work with local economic development organizations to better use the airport? Will the way in which the commission keeps tabs on operations change? Likewise, will the commission's relationship with city government be altered in any way?

As part of the strategic planning process, the Airport Commission should give serious consideration to recommendations made in 2003 by consultant Airport Business Solutions. Those recommendations include turning over day-to-day management to the fixed-base operator and improving both record-keeping and public relations.

Self-sufficiency is obtainable. We have only to look to Ames, where city employee Steve Salvo splits his time between managing the Ames Municipal Airport and serving as director of public works operations. He says the situation at the Ames airport, which is actually being profitable, is "kind of unique."

It shouldn't be. Iowa City could take a page from Ames' playbook and operate its airport in the same fashion. Making a profit would be a bonus. Making the airport self-supporting should be a mandate.