Anticipating a continuation of the national economic downturn, and recognizing the negative impact the failing economy is having on property owners within the Port of Kingston, Port Commissioners last month voted unanimously to not increase property taxes in 2009. By law the port is allowed to increase property taxes by 1 percent each year.
“It’s a symbolic gesture by the port, understanding the environment out there and just responding to that environment,” said Port Manager Mike Bookey.
The commissioners slashed discretionary spending in the 2009 budget by 17 percent compared to the 2008 budget. According to Bookey, discretionary spending includes items such as repair and maintenance, operating supplies, office supplies, advertising, training and education. Some maintenance and repair expenses will be deferred to better economic times. Planting fewer flowers and fertilizing the lawn less often will reduce landscaping expenses in Mike Wallace Park.
Overall, these cuts should not have a noticeable effect on the core operation of the port, Bookey said.
In addition to cutting discretionary expenses, one seasonal position during summer months was eliminated. Typically, according to Bookey, the port hires two part-time employees to help out during the busy summer season when the port is open extended hours.
The port, encompassing about four square miles, collected just over $168,000 in property taxes in 2008. An increase of 1 percent would have added about $1,600 to its coffers. It brings in just over $1 million in annual revenue from the public marina, rental income from the yacht club, parking and Washington State Ferries’ lease of the Kingston Ferry Terminal property, Bookey noted.
“We all realized the economy is a little bit down right now,” said Port Commissioner Marc Bissonnette. “But the port is in good financial shape. We’re cutting some of the fat – but there’s not a lot in there. We’re pretty lean.”
Bissonnette emphasized that despite trimming the budget for 2009, “Our intention is to move forward with all capital projects we have on board – in part to create jobs.”
Those 2009 projects include the North Beach trail and kayak facility.
“These are all funded, assets that are going to add to the bottom line,” he said.
Both Bissonnette and Bookey said that while the capital projects are underway, the port will continue efforts to get its water-transit service underway, with the goal of having service between Kingston and Seattle by September 2009.
