For Immediate Release For Additional Information:
Oct. 30, 2009 Carolyn Casey, Communications Manager,
360-676-2500 carolyncportofbellingham.com Proposed 2010 Budget Creates Jobs Without Increasing Property Taxes
Budget Includes $33 million in Capital Projects
[Bellingham, Wash.] The Port of Bellingham's 2010 Draft Strategic Budget shows cautious optimism that the economy will gradually improve in the coming year and focuses on local job creation through special programs and through more than $33 million in capital projects. The draft budget, which the Port Commission will consider in November, was developed anticipating the Port would again forgo the allowed property tax rate increase.
"While this first draft of the budget was developed by Port staff, our Port Commissioners made it very clear that they did not want to increase anyone's taxes during these tough economic times," said Interim Executive Director Fred Seeger. "Because our airport and real estate revenues remain solid and the Port continues to keep expenses in check, we are able to maintain all Port operations and move forward with significant projects without relying on increased taxes."
The Port will have a presentation on the draft budget at the regular Board of Commissioners meeting at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the Harbor Center Conference Room, 1801 Roeder Avenue. The presentation will be followed by a public hearing on the budget. The public will have a second opportunity to comment on the budget at a 3 p.m. hearing on Nov. 17, before the Commission votes on the budget. Download the document by clicking here , or click here to go to the Port financial page. Copies of it are also available in print and on cd at the Port's Administrative Office, 1801 Roeder Avenue. Public comments also can be submitted to the Port in writing.
Since 1995 Commissioners have restricted the Port's use of property taxes to specific programs that serve a broad public purpose and have required the Port's operations in the airport, marinas, real estate and marine terminals to be self supporting. Because the Commission has not approved tax rate increases for several years, the Port's property tax revenue of $7.4 million is $3.5 million less than its legal limit.
The proposed budget anticipates no change in the Port's staffing levels and forecasts a 14% increase in operating revenues over the 2009 budget, with total operating revenues for the year projected at $19.6 million. Operating expenses are projected to increase by 4% over the 2009 budget, primarily because of increased business activities in Port facilities.
Construction projects at the Bellingham International Airport will take center stage in 2010, with slightly more than $25 million in capital projects. These include rehabilitation of the runway and one of the taxiways, as well as construction to improve the secure passenger waiting area and parking. Because of substantial federal aviation grants that already have been secured, the actual cost to the Port for these projects will be $5.2 million.
It is anticipated that the Port's $33 million in capital projects will generate substantial direct and indirect local jobs.
The proposed budget includes a several Portwide goals that will be the focus of Port efforts in 2010. The goals are:
1) Economic Development and Jobs: Creation of new jobs and retention of existing jobs are high priorities for the Port. The Port will pursue projects and partnerships that result in countywide economic development including retention of current employers, expansion of existing businesses, and recruitment of new businesses.
2) Transportation: Well-managed, diverse transportation alternatives are essential to our community. The Port will invest in transportation facilities and infrastructure to ensure that regional and local transportation facilities have the capacity and amenities to meet the community's long-term needs and support economic development. The Port will place a special emphasis on maintenance, repairs and improvements to the Bellingham International Airport to serve the community's commercial, corporate and general aviation needs.
3) Public Asset Stewardship: The Port is the steward of more than 1,000 acres of property and nearly 100 structures. The Port will prioritize its investment in these assets to provide appropriate maintenance and repair, which will assure continued functionality of these community assets now and in the future.
4) Environmental Stewardship: Caring for our environment is one of the Port's core values. The Port will create a multi-faceted approach to apply environmental stewardship principles to the way the Port conducts its ongoing operations. This will include continuation of ongoing environmental clean-up projects, habitat restoration and wetland mitigation programs, application of LEEDs standards where feasible, and adoption of diverse emerging technologies and environmental best practices in Port operations.
5) Waterfront Redevelopment: The Port recognizes that strong and enduring partnerships are essential for the Bellingham Waterfront and Blaine Waterfront redevelopment projects to be successful. The Port will continue to encourage and maintain strong partnerships, while providing the necessary funding and leadership to continue to move the waterfront redevelopment projects forward.
6) Internal Performance: Advances in technology will allow Port operations to be more efficient and will allow the Port to more easily provide information to the community and to its business and government partners. The Port will develop a new website that will increase public transparency, make Port information more accessible, expand public information and improve Port efficiencies. The Port also will conduct a Portwide analysis of technology usage and develop recommendations for technology advances that will be applied in future budgets.
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