Port 1 prepares $1 million budget

Commissioners of Port District No. 1 of Wahkiakum County accpeted a preliminary budget totalling $1 million, when they met October 9.

The commission will take final action on the budget at their November meeting.

The port is planning a dock extension project that would total $308,925. State park and recreation funds will pay a share of the work; the port is matching $100,000.

Commissioners also held a public hearing on proposed rate increases, and after discussing the issue with citizens, voted to adopt the new rates.

Long-time marina patron Keith Burns objected to the increase in moorage fees.

“This would be the third rate hike in three years,” Burns said.

He added that the increases were forcing him out of the marina and that he would just buy an annual launching permit. The marina, which he called “the jewell of the county,” is becoming too expensive for Wahkiakum residents and thus is becoming the jewell for other people, he said.

“I’m told there are 80 people waiting for my slip,” he said. “Am I paying for the motel and RV park?”

Commission Chair Leroy Burns responded that the commission doesn’t subsidize other operations with moorage fees. The RV park has paid for itself, and the cabins, while new, “are doing fine.

Commissioner Brett Deaton commented that the rate increase were reasonable when compared to other marinas. The fact that the marina has a waiting list show the rates aren’t too high, he said.

Commissioner Larry Bonds said he sided with Burns.

“I just don’t think this year is a good year to raise rates,” he said. “It’s awful tough.”

In the end, Burns and Deaton voted to approve the motion to raise rates, and Bonds voted against the motion.

The board also authorized Burns and Manager Jackie Lea to meet with Clearwater Solutions LLC, the only bidder on the dock extension project, to see how the project could be modified to fit the port’s budget of $308,912. The firm bid $381,670 for the work.