Port 2 plans budget workshop on Tuesday

Commissioners of Port District No. 2 will begin work on their 2011 budget next week.

Manager Bob Robinson told Commissioners Carlton Appelo, Kayrene Gilbertsen and Brian O'Connor he would prepare a preliminary budget by the end of the week.

The board agreed to hold a special meeting September 28, 6 p.m., in the port office to go over the proposal.

Priorities for the budget could include rebuilding the interiors of the two original restroom buildings at Skamokawa Vista Park and upgrading campsites along the Columbia River beach.

The port has repaired roofs on the restroom buildings this year. O'Connor said the commission had intended to construct a new port office, but those funds could go to the restroom work, and the port would continue to use its office in the old Skamokawa Library building.

Jon Peterson of the Westside Water Works presented the port commission copies of the district's new rates and policies when the port commission met Tuesday.

The water district has had to reorganize, he said, and part of that includes adopting a small system management plan. This plan will require annual inspections of intertie and cross connection equipment, he said, and the water board is updating rates to address the park, which is its biggest customer.

Port officials, meanwhile, are working to restore the park's water system. Once it's back on line, it can tie into the Westside system as a backup, and it will allow the port to lower its water bills.

Peterson said the water system will soon send letters to its customers to explain the changes that are going on.