Local governments busy with plans, budgets

Local governmental bodies are busy with comprehensive plans and 2020 budgeting.

Port District 2 will act on its 2020 budget when its board of commissioners meet Nov. 19, 5 p.m., at the Skamokawa United Methodist Church building; they've also started work on updating the port's comprehensive plan and are inviting public comment on activities the port district could pursue. [The original version of this story incorrectly listed the location of the port commission's Nov. 19 meeting. Port commissioners have permanently changed their monthly meeting to 5 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month at the UMC church. --ed.]

The port's proposed budget totals $1.05 million. Port officials expect to start the year with $600,000 cash on hand, collect $325,000 in operating revenue largely from park guests, and another $127,500 in taxes and fees.

The port expects to collect $76,500 in property taxes; at their Oct. 15 meeting, Commissioners Brian O'Connor, Lee Tischer and Austin Burkhalter voted to increase the port's collection by the 1 percent allowed by statute, an estimated $724.91 additional revenue.

Operating expenditures are expected to total $368,700, with personnel compensation and professional fees totalling approximately $203,000.

The budget shows an estimated $350,000 available for capital projects, but none specified.

The Cathlamet Town Council has also started the process of updating its comprehensive plan and have scheduled an open house Nov. 7, 6 p.m., in the River Street Meeting Room, Cathlamet.

According to a meeting announcement from Town Hall, following a brief presentation, the open house will provide the public "an opportunity to be involved in planning the future of Cathlamet, to see what fellow stakeholders have been saying, to offer your input and ideas, and to learn about how you can help your community implement that plan."

On Monday, 6 p.m., the reconstituted Wahkiakum County Noxious Weed Control Board will hold a special meeting in their new office in the county's Hope Center, 320 S. Third Street, Cathlamet.

The agenda includes:

1. The 2020 meeting schedule;

2. Milfoil and knotweed eradication programs;

3. 2020 spray program;

4. Educational outreach, and

5. 2020 budget.

The weed control program is charged with controlling noxious weeds on farmland and also the spread of invasive weeds such as knotweed and the milfoil infesting local waterways.