PORT ANGELES — Clallam County lawmakers Tuesday approved nearly $1.3 million in infrastructure grants, established connection policies for the Carlsborg sewer and lowered the sales tax rate by 0.2 percent.
The three commissioners voted unanimously to award a $1 million grant to the Port of Port Angeles to complete a 25,000-square-foot building that will house a composites recycling center.
They also approved a $285,952 grant to the city of Port Angeles for the second phase of an ongoing waterfront improvement project.
“I just want to express our sincere appreciation to the commissioners for their support for this effort,” Patrick Downie, Port Angeles deputy mayor, told the commissioners.
“In the words of my grandson, it’s, like, way cool.”
Opportunity Fund
Funding for both grants comes from the sales-tax-supported Opportunity Fund, which can be used for infrastructure and personnel in economic development offices.
Port officials have said the $5.3 million Composite Recycling Technology Center at 2220 W. 18th St. has the potential to create 111 jobs within five years at annual incomes ranging from $35,000 to $72,000.
The Opportunity Fund Board recommended approval of both grants last month.
“These are positive projects,” Commissioner Mike Chapman said.
“I think these are good uses of our dollar that may help improve our local economy.”
Dale Wilson, publisher of the Port O Call newspaper in Port Angeles, urged the board to belay funding the port’s “half-baked” composite recycling project because of uncertainties.
“Without a steady supply of recyclable materials, we should not be moving so fast with this plan,” Wilson said.
County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis on Monday said county policy and state law required the board to hold a public hearing before awarding the grants from the Opportunity Fund.
Commissioners approved the grants by resolution in the normal course of their business meeting.
“I am quite confident that we have followed both the letter and the spirit of all laws and policies that are necessary for us to do this correctly,” County Administrator Jim Jones said.
“We have proceeded in the correct and legal fashion, and so I’m comfortable that we’re on good ground here,” board Chairman Jim McEntire added.
Commissioner Bill Peach said the projects represent good collaboration with the city and port.
“They’re focused on jobs, and I genuinely support that effort,” Peach said.
Carlsborg sewer
In other news, commissioners added a chapter to county code establishing regulations and fees for the yet-to-be-built Carlsborg sewer.
Two Carlsborg residents testified against the project in a public hearing.
The ordinance will identify who is interested in connecting to a proposed system that will pump effluent to the existing treatment plant in Sequim.
The connection fee will be $8,000 per Carlsborg residence except for properties that are eligible for discounts.
“No one in Carlsborg is required to connect to the sewer system as long as they own the property and as long as the septic system that they’re currently using functions adequately as determined by the health department,” said Bob Martin, public works administrative director.
Sales tax
Commissioners also passed an ordinance amending code to reduce the 8.4 percent sales tax rate for unincorporated areas to 8.2 percent effective July 1.
The board notified the state Department of Revenue of the upcoming change last month.
Commissioners this year have decided to spend down excess reserves in ways that will stimulate the economy and help the poor.
The sales tax is experimental, commissioners have said; they will reassess it in the future.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
