The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Last Thursday, commissioners at the Wahkiakum County Port District 1 meeting discussed the preliminary budget and possible rate hikes for 2017, talked about dredge issues, and approved the sale of an abandoned boat.

Commissioners looked over the preliminary budget for 2017. According to the proposed budget, the port is expected to bring in $1,114,137 in revenue and spend $737,125.

Several rate hikes are also being proposed, mostly in cabin rental prices as well as seasonal monthly RV and dry camping prices. Monthly moorage, in district and out of district, may go up as well, if passed by the commissioners at a later meeting.

Commissioner Brett Deaton suggested that they consider a low annual launch fee and a high daily launch fee like he had seen at the marina in Sequim.

“It might relieve the burden on the staff,” Deaton said, “not spending as much time checking people at the launch. However, I don’t know if money-wise it would pan out. I don’t want to go backwards.”

Port Manager Jackie Lea responded.

“We only have a big influx in the spring and fall,” she said. “I think the daily launch is too cheap anyway.”

The annual launch is $55, though staff is recommending that it be raised to $60 for 2017. The daily launch fee is $6.00.

Lea will run numbers and commissioners will return to discuss the option at the meeting in October.

A problem with the boat pump out, which marina visitors can use to pump out sewage from their boats, has commissioners wondering whether a repair or replacement is the next step.

Currently there is no charge to customers to use the service.

“I think some things are beyond making a profit on,” Commissioner Bob Kizziar said. “This is a service we need to provide to our customers to encourage them to pump out.”

Lea was expecting a visit from a plumber the next day.

The commissioners continued to talk about pipe and a work boat for the dredge.

The port has yet to locate an acceptable work boat. With time running out, commissioners decided to put it out to contract, at least for this year, in order to have more time to look for a boat.

“It would be hard to find someone to build us a boat between now and November,” Lea pointed out. She acknowledged that eventually they would need one.

Commissioners did schedule a special meeting today (Thursday) at 4 p.m. in the district office to consider matters related to a vessel for port operations.

Finally, the commissioners approved the sale of a 27’ Newport sailboat that had been abandoned at the marina.