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

Wahkiakum County Port 1 commissioners approved the rates and budget for 2018 and discussed other matters around the Elochoman Slough Marina at their meeting last Thursday.

The annual launch fee will go up from $55 to $60 next year, though Commissioner Brett Deaton suggested that they consider making it even more, while possibly offering a lower rate for seniors.

“Launch fees at Ilwaco and Chinook are $100 a year,” he said. “I only want to raise it because that ramp cost so much last year to repair.”

The port has placed two eco blocks in the center of the launch to discourage boaters from powering on but a third one may be needed, as they are still witnessing drivers backing their trailers around them.

The port plans to offer a farmer’s market next year, and commissioners discussed vendor rates, tables and tents for the first time. They’ve currently settled at $20 a table.

They’ve discovered that some spots for dry camping, otherwise known as RV camping without hookups, are more desirable than others, and rates will now reflect that, from $25/day at the highest to $18/day for the lowest.

Expected tent camping revenues for 2018 were doubled from the year before.

“It was budgeted for $16,000 this year,” Port Manager Jackie Lea said. “Today we’re at $40,000. It has to move up.”

In other camping news, yurt doors need to be replaced, and commissioners authorized Lea to move forward on the matter.

The commissioners approved the new rates and the 2018 budget. They have $571,279 in beginning cash and investments. They expect to expend $616,974 in capital projects. The budget also shows a $5,000 increase in the port manager’s salary, which will be $60,000.

Total revenues and expenditures for 2018 equal $1,100,154.

Commissioners also approved a one percent increase in the regular property tax levy, equaling $668.13. The total levy for 2018 is $66,812.99.