PORT TOWNSEND — The three Jefferson County commissioners have approved a $500,000 allocation to the city of Port Townsend that will be used to reimburse the cost of several public infrastructure projects.
The money was part of a state Public Infrastructure Fund — or PIF — grant of about $320,000 a year that the county has collected since 2008 for support of rural infrastructure.
It was collected and administered by the county, with the money promised to the city in 2007.
The item was scheduled for the consent agenda for Monday’s regular meeting but was removed for discussion because the commissioners wanted to further discuss the implications of extending the grant through 2012.
Because of state budget cuts, the size and even the existence of the grant is in jeopardy, according to county Administrator Philip Morley.
Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval and City Manager David Timmons appeared at Monday’s commissioners meeting and asked them to honor the commitment to supply the funds and extend the grant.
They said the county has said it would provide reimbursement for funds spent but has not yet done so.
“For you to [not renew the grant] would be a slap in the face to us considering the fact that the city is paying the bills for Memorial Field and the Rec Center,” Sandoval said.
“We live by the letter of the law but also by our word, and I would be very disappointed to see you renege on both.”
After a discussion Monday afternoon, the commissioners unanimously approved renewing the PIF grant and allocating the money to the city out of the existing fund balance and informed Timmons of the action by email.
On Tuesday, Timmons said he was pleased by the decision even though the county “took their time.
“The money was allocated for Sims Way and the Howard Street extension and has already been spent,” he said.
“We need to pay this back.”
Timmons said the city sent the county invoices in May 2010 and again in May 2011, and the first response was an addition to the Nov. 7 agenda.
“I would appeal to you to not delay the authorization of this because of the time involved and the commitments that have been made,” Timmons said.
“We’ve acted in good faith for four years and have liability on the books for this money.
“A delay would further complicate the city’s financial problems; it would not only hurt the relationship between the city and the county, but would hurt us all financing.”
City projects that would be endangered if the money was not allocated include pool renovation, putting utility lines underground, renovation of Fort Worden Building 202 and the Howard Street extension, Timmons said in an email to Morley on Nov. 7.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
