Port 2 reviews proposed budget for 2018

Commissioners of Port District 2 went over their preliminary budget when they met Sept. 18 at Skamokawa Vista Park.

The proposed budget totaled $1.058 million, down from $1.13 million budget for 2018 and $1.14 budgeted for 2017. The port expects to collect $244,100 from fees collected from campers at Skamokawa Vista and County Parks. The port expects $30,000 in revenue from selling dredged sand at Vista Park, and it expects to pay the state Department of Natural Resources a $20,000 royalty for the sand.

Operating revenue, which comes from park fees, sale of dredged sand and similar fees and charges, is expected to be $333,746. Revenue from taxes and grants is expected to be $125,250.

Operating expenses are budgeted at $375,391, with a large portion going for staff salaries, wages, and benefits. The budget lists $57,750 for the manager's salary; $40,000 for year-round staff--up from $25,000 budgeted for 2018 because of the addition of an assistant; $30,000 for maintenance, also increased for additional staff, $25,000 for summer help and $4,100 for commissioners' salaries.

The budget lists $370,000 for all capital pro-jects, down from $400,000 budgeted this year.

Projects considered for 2018 include $45,000 for property acquisition, $300,000 for water system improvements at Vista and County Line parks, $15,000 for tennis court repair and $10,000 for a roof over the Vista Park espresso stand.

The port had intended to construct a combination office/laundry building at Vista Park in 2018, but commissioners put that project on hold when bids came in much higher than budgeted.

"The bids were too high," commented Commissioner Brian O'Connor. "We would have to get funding help to do it."

Commissioners may formally adopt the budget at their next meeting, Oct. 16, 5:30 p.m., at the office in Vista Park.

In other business last week, Manager Janet Bryan sought commission approval to install additional security cameras at park buildings.

Bryan said people have been breaking into coin boxes that activate the park showers.

Bryan will seek bids for camera installation and linking them to the ports computer network so they could be monitored remotely.