PORT ANGELES — Implementing monthly budget reforecasting across departments has enabled Port of Port of Angeles staff to stay on top of changing circumstances when it comes to how they report expenditures and revenue, commissioners learned.
The process, which the port recently implemented, has helped staff make more informed decisions, map department goals and stay on top of expenses, commissioners were told Tuesday.
“It is definitely useful,” airport manager James Alton said. “It’s not only helped me find out where the costs are going, but how it gets invoiced.”
Facilities manager Wilson Easton said reexamining his budget every month has been instructive.
“It’s held me accountable for spending, which hasn’t changed my spending habits, but has certainly made me look a little bit deeper at them,” he said.
“When you have 17 guys, a lot of money gets spent, so it’s really forced me to really pay extra attention.”
Commissioner Connie Beauvais asked how much time they spend reforcasting their budgets, saying she didn’t want it to take away from their other responsibilities. Alton and Easton both said the task takes about one to four hours a month.
Grant funds
In her report to the board, Katharine Frazier, the port’s grants and government affairs manager, said the agency had secured $41,818,731 in federal and $2,915,491 in state and county grants — $44,734,222 total — over the past several years to fund capital projects, equipment and other initiatives. The port has contributed $7,870,659 in matching funds toward the total.
Among the strategies the port had used when applying for grants, Frazier said, was leveraging state dollars so it could take advantage of federal matching requirements.
“The marine trade center originally started out as 66 percent grant-funded and in the future the idea is to try to be better than that,” Frazier said. “Eighty percent is pretty standard, but there’s opportunities to improve on that.”
The port has been awarded grants for which it has had to provide just a 2.5 percent match.
Among the projects for which the port has received state funding are the replacement of the launch floats at John Wayne Marina (state Recreation and Conservation Office) and stormwater design for the Intermodal Handling and Transfer Facility (state Department of Ecology).
Federal funds will be used purchase two new hybrid or clean diesel logstackers and two material handlers (U.S. Department of Transportation Port Infrastructure Development Program), and a zero-emission reachstacker and two forklifts (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean Ports Program).
A $6 million grant from the North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Coalition (U.S. Economic Development Administration) will go toward the purchase of three barges to expand marine highway transport of materials that come into the port.
Some of the port’s funded projects are nearing completion, while others have not yet started. It also has been awarded federal funds that are not obligated.
Maritime Festival
The Maritime Festival held June 7-8 attracted about 20 percent more attendees than last year, said Caleb McMahon, the port’s director of economic development. The pool with the racing boats was a big hit, and the North Olympic Flounder Pounder attracted 100 entries.
“The goal is to make every year better,” he said.
Strategic plan
In his second quarter strategic plan update, Executive Director Paul Jarkiewicz said the port is on track in most areas.
“The one place we’re still falling behind right now is the 5 percent year-on-year gain, and that’s due to economic conditions,” he said.
Commissioners Beauvais and Colleen McAleer were present at the meeting; Steve Burke had an excused absence.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
