PORT TOWNSEND — YMCA planners put the finishing touches on a proposal for a Jefferson County branch Friday as they readied to present it to Port Townsend and Jefferson County officials.
Neither of those government agencies was represent at a one-hour workshop Friday at the Port Townsend Community Center, but organizer Bill Kush said he isn’t worried.
“I know (City Manager) David Timmons and (City Councilman) Allen Frank are enthusiastic, and the city keeps talking about it,” Kush said. “I’d be shocked if they weren’t in favor of this.”
Clallam County YMCA Executive Director Dan Maguire is expected to contact city and county officials in the near future to have the plan discussed during public meetings.
Kush said government support is crucial to getting the local YMCA program off the ground.
The proposal calls for Port Townsend to provide $90,000 the first year and for Jefferson County to contribute $55,000. The YMCA would be expected to be weaned from government support in three to five years.
The estimated annual cost to operate a YMCA in Port Townsend is $233,000, including $183,000 for wages and benefits.
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