City Council President Ronnie Fussell has promised to introduce a bill that will withhold from the Jacksonville Aviation Authority money to extend one of the runways at Craig Municipal Airport.

Fussell plans to ask council members to put the $10.5 million budgeted in the capital improvement program for the runway expansion "below the line."

When, or if, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority decides to proceed with extending the runway, it will have to come back to the council and ask for approval for that money to be put back "above the line" before it can be spent.

Fussell and the airport authority's executive director, John Clark, agreed on the measure during a private meeting Monday afternoon. They have agreed to meet monthly to discuss various authority projects and initiatives.

The city has long held the position that the Craig runway should not be extended.

Many residents living near the Arlington airport were angered recently when they learned the aviation authority requested funding for the extension in the capital improvement program.

Fussell said city and aviation authority leaders should focus on projects that both sides agree should progress, including developing Cecil Field and upgrades to Jacksonville International Airport.