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

Commissioners of Port District 2 looked at their 2016 budget and filled a vacancy on their board when they met Tuesday.

Commissioners Lori Scott and Brian O'Connor appointed Lee Tischer to fill the vacancy created by Kayrene Gilbertsen's resignation.

Gilbertsen had announced earlier this year that she wouldn't seek re-election, and Tischer filed as a candidate for election to the position.

After taking his oath of office from attorney Tim Hanigan, Tischer took a seat at the table with Scott, O'Connor, Hanigan and Port Manager Janet Bryan. All held their pens in their left hand.

"We're still all lefties," O'Connor remarked, noting that Gilbertsen was also left handed.

Commissioners reviewed the draft budget for 2016; they'll hold a public hearing on it at their October meeting and probably adopt it then.

The budget shows a beginning and ending cash balance of $162,000. They have revenue of $380,00 and expenditures of $352,275, including capital projects.

The capital improvements fund shows a balance of $50,000. Commissioners had no specific projects in mind, but they want to improve boat launching facilities in Skamokawa. They plan to have a laundromat at the entrance of Skamokawa Vista Park constructed by the end of 2015, and if not, it will carry over to 2016.

Commissioners have invited a consulting engineer to evaluate boat launch possibilities; they'll meet October 2 around 10 a.m.

Manager Bryan suggested the commissioners consider a rate increase of $2.

"We haven't raised rates since I've been here," O'Connor, the senior commissioner, commented.

After short discussion, the commission voted to increase rates at Vista Park $2, except for tent camping. They took no action on rates for County Line or Svensen parks.