PORT ANGELES — Port of Port Angeles commissioners unanimously approved Monday an $8.2 million budget for 2012, which includes a half-million dollar surplus, and approved a raise for Executive Director Jeff Robb.
Commissioners approved a 2 percent raise for Robb, retroactive to August.
The percentage matches that approved earlier this month for other port employees in 2012.
That brings Robb’s salary to $123,165 per year.
In 2010, Robb was given a 5 percent raise retroactive to August, which increased his annual salary to $120,750 from the $115,000 he was given when he was promoted to the position from that of airports/marina manager in August 2009.
The budget of $8,243,400 includes an expected $495,300 surplus, since the port predicts $8,738,700 in receipts in 2012.
Property tax levy
There was no increase in the port’s property tax levy.
Over the last few meetings, several residents voiced concerns the port should go one step farther and reduce the tax levy, Commissioner John Calhoun said.
“I don’t want people to think I ignored their comments,” Calhoun said. “I still support my decision.
“We’re trying to balance aggressive infrastructure maintenance and expanding capacity.”
That may take capital investments, he said.
Airport funding
The William R. Fairchild International Airport in Port Angeles is expected to lose substantial Federal Aviation Administration funding because of a decrease in ridership on Kenmore Air, the airport’s single scheduled commercial airline.
“Funding went from $1 million each year to $150,000,” Commissioner Jim McEntire said.
The airport received about $1 million annually as long as it maintained its status as an FAA-certified airport through annual scheduled enplanements of 10,000 or more.
Kenmore Air offers three daily scheduled flights between the Port Angeles and Boeing Field in Seattle, with shuttle service to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
The FAA has made no announcement the port has lost the funding, but Kenmore Air and the port agree it is unlikely the airport will achieve a 10,000 passenger minimum this year.
If ridership is less than 10,000, then the airport’s FAA funding will be reduced to a small airport level of funding at $150,000.
Bond debt
The budget does not reflect action that could be taken on refinancing or paying off one of three port bond debts in June 2012.
The other two debts won’t be eligible in 2012.
Bill James, port finance director, said a refinancing deal could save the port a significant amount of money over the long run.
The matter was left to a future decision of the commission, when the date is closer and the economy and bank rates for June are more certain.
“We will do something with the bonds in June,” James said.
The commission evaluated Robb during executive session Monday, and concluded that executive director’s performance was “outstanding,” Calhoun said.
The commission approved the same percentage of raise for Robb that was given to port employees: 2 percent.
“It’s insufficient, given his performance,” Calhoun said.
However, given the current economy, restraint was appropriate, commissioners said.
“I’m confident we made the right choice more than two years ago” when Robb was promoted to the position, McEntire said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
