Port decides on 2020 budget

Port of Whitman commissioners approved their 2020 budget after three different versions were presented. The motion passed for budget version three with a 2-1 vote.

The first budget reviewed was a proposed budget that the port had previously made public. The first version came out to a budget of $9,818,543.

The second version that was presented had revisions based upon the feedback of the commissioners from the port's previous meeting. The second version budget is $9,988,293.

“The second version actually has a decrease in a line item component, but the budget is larger because we made the transactions the commission requested breaking out the Broadband LLC payments,” said Joe Poire, port executive director.

Along with breaking out the Broadband LLC payments, an additional change made in the version two budget was administrative and general expenses reduced to $971,500.

“I made a percentage change in staff salaries, in concurrence with discussions I've had with each of you (commissioners and staff members),” Poire said.

The third version that was presented to the commissioners kept the budget at $9,988,293. The only change was in regard to capital expenses.

“Version three will take money out of capital expenses, specifically out of A-Z location fiber construction, so this number is going to change from $6,966,000 to $6,937,290,” Poire said.

Poire mentioned how there are some developments in the works and asked for the commissioners' consideration on taking an additional $20,000 out of capital expenses.

“I'm requesting to move that money to have some flexibility in some staff work,” Poire said. “I would like to move that $20,000 out of capital expenses, specifically the fiber A-Z location range, and inserting that money into economic development under general administration.”

Poire said the port is exploring some contract services with Pacific Northwest Waterways Association. If this pans out, Poire thinks it would be in the port's best interest to have as much flexibility as possible in partnering in that area for 2020.

The staff recommendation of version three with an additional $20,000 taken from capital expenses and moved to general administration was approved by Commissioner Kristine Meyer and John Love. Commissioner Tom Kammerzell said he would prefer using version two with the $20,000 revision used there.