Port District 1 OK budget, fee increases

Port District No. 1 commissioners addressed a full agenda of planning for 2013 during their November 8 meeting.

The commissioners adopted a budget totaling $915,039, passed a resolution authorizing increases to the port’s rate schedule, and approved a one percent increase to the property tax collected by the district during fiscal year 2013.

Following up on a discussion from last month’s meeting, Manager Jackie Lea and Assistant Manager Abe York researched the cancellation policies of recreational facilities in the region. They crafted a draft policy based on their findings for the commissioners to review.

The draft policy would require customers to give seven days’ notice of cancellation to avoid a one-night charge. The current policy requires 48 hours’ notice. Customers that make a reservation but don’t show up (no-shows) would be charged three nights’ stay for reservations longer than seven days and a one-night charge for reservations of less than seven days. No-shows would lose the opportunity to hold the same reservation the next year. During the busiest times of the year, people who leave before their scheduled departure day would be charged for the number of nights stayed plus half the days that remain of their reservation.

“I think something needs to be done. We got burned big time last year, “ said Commissioner Brett Deaton. Lea estimated that the port had collected over $600 in cancellation fees so far this year.

The draft policy will be revisited at the board’s December meeting.

All of Elochoman Marina’s cabins and yurts were rented for the opening of elk season at the beginning of the month, Lea reported. She praised the efforts of Interim Park Host Bruce Oliver during the busy time.

The commissioners approved going to bid for the replacement of the grating that covers D-Dock.

The commissioners decided to change the time of their meetings from six to five p.m. beginning in December. Deaton noted that the Ports of Vancouver and Longview both hold meetings in the morning, but he believes it is important to schedule the meetings at a time when people that work during the day are able to attend.