Fiber optic project pumps port budget

The Port of Whitman County’s $13 million 2011 budget was approved unanimously by port commissioners following a public hearing Monday.

Inflated by a $12 million federal stimulus grant for a north-south fiber optic connection between Pullman and Spokane, the $13,736,000 2011 spending plan is a steep increase over the 2010 budget of $2,960,600.

Most of the construction on the fiber project, which will string high speed data processing fiber along highways 27 and 195, will be done next year, accounting for an $11,675,000 expense item.

The port expects to be reimbursed $8.5 million from the federal government next year, with the balance being repaid in 2012.

Commissioners approved use of $2,055,000 of the port’s operating reserves to pay some of the up front costs of construction. That reserve money will be repaid off profits made from the port’s existing telecommunications leases. They are expected to bring in a $254,000 profit next year.

Commissioners approved a one percent increase in the agency’s property tax revenue, the maximum allowed under state law. The port’s levy is expected to bring in $1,067,000, up $27,000 from the 2010 property tax levy of $1,040,000.