VALPARAISO - Right now, the Valparaiso city commission is meeting to discuss a possible settlement of its lawsuit against the Air Force.

The city filed suit over the decision to place the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter at Eglin Air Force Base.

Channel Three's Laura Hussey has more.

The battle between a small Panhandle town and the United States Air Force started right here in the Valparaiso Commission Chambers. In February, the Air Force officially announced it would bring at least 59 next generation fighter jets to Eglin Air Force Base, right next to Valparaiso. Not even three weeks later, Valparaiso leaders voted to fight them in court.

The issue is noise.

Some city leaders believe noise from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters could send property values so low that Valparaiso would end up bankrupt.

Their lawsuit said the Air Force never seriously considered alternate locations on Eglin for the F-35s, locations that would have less impact on Valparaiso.

In June, both parties agreed to put the lawsuit on hold and enter settlement discussions.

If commissioners vote to settle, it would be a step toward ending a bitter debate.

As passionately as Valparaiso leaders felt they're protecting their city, many other people here in Okaloosa County feel they're jeopardizing hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact.

We'll be here for the vote, and bring you the decision as soon as we have it.

Reporting in Valparaiso, Laura Hussey, Channel Three News.Valparaiso Commission Discussing Possible F-35 Settlement