In 1968, a group of Nashvillians from a cross-section of the community discussed plans for an innovative airport management structure that would bring their city and region into the modern era of aviation. Their goal was to provide a framework in which air carriers could interact with the community in a business-like manner. Authority planners did not want city taxpayers to bear all the costs of improved aviation. They wanted to establish a system of governance that would be self-financing and that would assure all future Nashvillians of a safe, efficient and modern airport. Ideas were offered by a diverse group of people in the community and were solicited from around the country. In 1969, this group, led by the late John C. Tune, drafted enabling legislation to establish an airport authority as a non-profit corporation separate from Metro Government. They worked diligently with state and local governments for this legislation's passage. The Tennessee General Assembly enacted the bill in 1969, and the Metropolitan Council passed resolution 70-872 creating the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority in April of 1970.