Port 2 approves loan for church purchase

Commissioners of Port District 2 on Tuesday approved a loan agreement with Wahkiakum County that will allow the purchase of the Skamokawa Methodist Church property adjacent to Skamokawa Vista Park.

The $164,000 loan will be repaid over five years.

The port will remodel the church building into a facility that can be "leased to a tenant who will benefit the community," said port Manager Jeff Smith.

Commissioners also reviewed an updated proposal for the port's 2022 annual budget. The $489,433 preliminary budget includes operating revenue from fees estimated at $354,278 and from non-operating revenue of $135,155 from various taxes. Operating expenditures are estimated at $431,957; non-operating expenditures including taxes the port pays are estimated at $28,500, and capital projects at $28,976.

Included in the list of possible capital projects are

Svensen Park upgrades, Vista Park office repairs and painting, repairs to Vista Park showers and yurts, establishing a laundry facility for park staff use, additions to water and electric facilities, picnic table repair and purchase, chip sealing park roads and sites, shop building improvements, and upgrading the church building. Projects are funding dependent.

Commissioners will approve their budget at their Nov. 16 meeting; they may also act on a property tax increase. The port will collect an estimated $82,000 in property tax next year.