PORT LUDLOW – Should this wealthy master-planned resort community of about 4,000 incorporate to become Jefferson County’s second city?
It’s a question worth serious exploration, say community leaders.
Some question whether they are getting enough for their county property taxes.
“I think Jefferson County – in the 16 years that I’ve lived here – looks at Port Ludlow as a property tax cash cow,” said Bert Loomis, who was a founding member of the Port Ludlow Village Council.
Loomis plans to help form a study group on incorporation early next year.
With Port Ludlow approaching residential build-out, he and others believe residents might be better served by a municipality.
“What are we going to be when we grow up?” asked Elizabeth Van Zonneveld, who served as Port Ludlow Village Council’s president in 2005.
“I think nobody has given (incorporation) serious attention for the last several years because there is the misconception that the master-planned resort is going to go on forever.”
Newly elected Jefferson County commissioner John Austin, a Port Ludlow democrat, said incorporation is inevitable.
“It’s going to happen one day, there’s no doubt,” said Austin, who will take office in January.
