In a press release a few weeks ago, the Navy said it would begin “negotiations” with the City of Franklin for use of the city’s airport. Mayor Jim Councill likened the proposal to an early visit from Santa Claus for a struggling town, suggesting a significant financial benefit for city government and, by extension, its taxpayers.

Now, the Navy says the deal will involve no revenue for the city other than the purchase of some unidentified “services” from the airport.

As taxpayers size up whether this is a good deal for Franklin, the Navy and city leaders need to get specific about the financial terms of the deal. Or if this is simply about patriotism and Franklin doing its part to support the men and women who protect our country, the city and the Navy need to say so.