PORT TOWNSEND — Port of Port Townsend commissioners have adopted the 2025 operating and capital budgets, a new rate card, and property tax and Industrial Development District levies.
The $8.2 million operating budget is 9 percent higher than last year’s and the $8.8 million in revenues is 8 percent higher. The port’s anticipated net operating income will be $644,058 — down 2 percent from the end-of-year forecast for this year.
The vote to approve the budgets and levies occurred Wednesday.
There are 45 projects planned within the $16 million capital budget. Of that amount, $15.8 million will be covered through grants, the IDD levy and other port funds. More than half of the capital funding — $9 million — is dedicated to projects at Boat Haven, principally its stormwater improvement project.
The 2025 rate card included a consumer price index (CPI) increase of 3.8 percent across of the port’s properties and bumps in fees and labor. The port will begin charging a small documents fee next year.
A 1 percent property tax will generate about $1.15 million in revenue. It is the annual allowable maximum increase under state law without asking for a voter approval. The IDD levy will generate about $2.6 million.
Commissioners also approved the port’s legislative agenda for next year, which was topped by seeking funding for the Jefferson County International Airport industrial park. The port also will seek support for Phase 1 of the Boat Yard expansion project, the weatherization of historic buildings at Point Hudson and the state Department of Natural Resources’ derelict vessel removal program.
At their morning workshop Wednesday, commissioners heard from Executive Director Eron Berg on activities at Short’s Farm. Berg said the port was working with Jefferson County PUD to install a new transformer and underground service to five outbuildings.
Improvements also are in the works for the property’s residential well, including a new pressure tank, electric valves and new pipe from the well head to the discharge pipe. Old buildings in disrepair are being pulled down and wood set aside for the eventual repair of the site’s original 1880 barn.
So far, about 1,500 abandoned tires have been found at the 253-acre property, Berg said.
The port’s Deputy Director Eric Toews said one-year lease agreements for about half the property have been secured with local farms: One Straw Ranch (71 acres of farmland and outbuildings; and outbuilding lease); Flying Knucklehead Ranch (37 acres of farmland); and Finnriver Grainery (18 acres of farmland; outbuilding lease) and William and Karrie Short (residential lease).
All of the leased farmland is located on the west side of Chimacum Creek, with most of it dedicated to livestock.
Short Farm is forecast to operate at a $125,471 loss, according to the 2025 budget; the port is seeking ways to generate income while it continues to make improvements, such as cleaning up the home on the property so it can generate rent.
The port will continue former owners Roger and Sandy Short’s practice of allowing hunters and birdwatchers to access the property. It secured licenses and use agreements with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife for waterfowl hunting on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through the end of February, and wildlife viewing on the alternate days through the end of March.
The 118 acres under the agreement overlaps with the leased farmland.
Between now and the end of the year, a citizen stakeholder group will be assembled to review and create an update to the port’s strategic plan. Toews said he would like to see a website similar to the one the port created for Short’s Farm with information, drafts of the plan and ways for the public to be involved in the process.
The goal would be to have a draft to commissioners by March or April.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached by email at paula.hunt@ peninsuladailynews.com.
