Port budget session next week

With this year coming to a close, the Port of Whitman County is getting ready to discuss their budget for the upcoming year.

The Port plans to discuss their preliminary budget at their next meeting Nov. 5.

Port Executive Director Joe Poiré said the Port would like to see public comment on the budget.

“If people want to chime in on our budget, this is the time to do it,” he said.

Once the Port discusses the preliminary budget, they will send it to Neill Public Library in Pullman and the Whitman County Library here to be available for public review.

Poiré said the “budget is put together pretty well already” and includes funds for further renovations at Boyer Park and Marina. He said it also includes several smaller projects throughout Whitman County.

“The commissioners are trying to spread the infrastructure county wide,” said Poiré.

Poiré said the budget is always open for public comment, but none has ever been received. He said in the past people have called after the budget has already been adopted with ideas which are unable to be worked into the budget.

“This is the moment for comment,” he said.

The Port plans to finalize and adopt the budget at their meeting on Nov. 19.

The Nov. 5 and Nov. 19 meetings are at 10 a.m. in the Port building located at 302 N. Mill Street. Poiré said cookies and coffee will be available.