Travelers flying out of Jacksonville International Airport could face higher parking rates as part of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority's response to a budget crunch, officials said Monday at a board meeting.

And the authority might need to cut its workforce to offset the higher payments for electric bills, fuel expenses and city fees. The authority isn't keeping pace with those costs because fewer people are flying out of JIA, resulting in less revenue for the authority.

Officials did not offer a specific proposal for increasing parking rates or the number of positions at stake.

Parking rates at JIA range from $6 a day at the economy lots to a maximum of $16 per day at the hourly garage closest to the passenger terminal. Chief Executive Officer Richard Rossi said the parking rates are low compared with other Florida airports.

He said the authority is studying various proposals for increasing the rates, either across the board or just at some of the parking areas.

"There are some tough decisions that have to be made," JAA Chief Executive Officer John Clark said. "We're prepared to do that."