Port District 2 looks for budget savings

Wahkiakum Port District 2 officials looked for savings and considered additions to their 2010 budget in a special meeting workshop on Tuesday.

Commissioners Kayrene Gilbertsen and Brian O'Connor went over a budget analysis prepared by Port Manager Bob Robinson to make changes for preparation of a proposed budget to be considered later this month.

O'Connor said the board should consider adding several items to the budget, including funds for upgrading riverfront camping areas, maintenance of buoys in Grays Bay, and purchasing a used truck for park use.

Robinson and O'Connor agreed that there should be funding for a maintenance worker. O'Connor suggested the position be full-time, but Robinson and Gilbertsen suggested two part-time positions to save on overtime and employee expenses and to provide wider coverage of hours.

The group also wanted funding for purchase of small tools. They discussed possible ways to secure the storage shop to prevent the thefts of tools that plague them.

Robinson also suggested the budget include adequate funding to compensate commissioners for meals and mileage to necessary meetings.

To reduce expenses, the group considered cutting memberships and reducing professional services.

Robinson and O'Connor felt legal expenses could be reduced by not having the port attorney attend meetings but only become involved when asked. Robinson said he and the staff could write minor contracts and public notices. The lawyer should only be necessary for major legal contracts or litigation.

The group also discussed reducing reliance on the district auditor to handle day to day transactions.

They agreed it would be feasible to reduce or end membership in regional planning consortiums such as the Cowlitz/Wahkiakum Council of Governments and the Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce. The port can pay a small fee to remain a non-voting member of the COG, Robinson said.

Gilbertsen said the port should maintain membership in the Columbia/Pacific RCE&D, which can provide some of the same services the COG and CREST provide at a much lower cost.

The port should retain memberships in the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce and the Lower Columbia Economic Development Council, which support port activities, Robinson said.