QUILCENE — Port of Port Townsend commissioners and staff discussed a need for more staff at a 2007 budget workshop on Wednesday.
For the past seven years, the Port has maintained a staff of about 25 while acquiring more facilities, said Executive Director Larry Crockett.
“We’ve increased our responsibilities, but our staff has stayed the same,” said Crockett.
With the Port taking over all of the Point Hudson Marina on the north tip of Port Townsend, the Quilcene Marina and several ferry buildings, the staff has been spread thin, Crockett said at the workshop at the Quilcene Marina on Linger Longer Road.
Crockett said some modifications to existing staff responsibilities are also needed.
Currently, one man, Jim Spears, has been running the operation under a contract, but commissioners discussed liability issues if Spears were to be hurt while working.
Commissioners and staff discussed the benefits and drawbacks of hiring Spears as a Port employee, such as cost, and the hardships of a one-person staff at the Marina.
Strong budget year
The 2007 budget was the backdrop to all discussions that took place, with a draft of that budget due by Oct. 20.
Revenue has been up in 2006.
“It does appear to be a pretty strong year,” said Donald Taylor, director of finance and administration and Port auditor.
From Jan. 1 to June 30 in 2006, total Port revenues reached $2.035 million, with $1.802 million budgeted.
For 2005 during these dates, total operating revenue amounted to $1.759 million.
Total operating expenses at the half-year mark of 2006 were $1.718 million, with $1.725 budgeted.
The first six-month expenses of 2005 totaled $1.712, with $47,312 in income from operations.
The first half of 2006 total of income from operations was $316,393.
The net income for the first six months of 2006 was $526,213. In 2005, it was $246,908.
A continuation of the workshop was scheduled for Oct. 18 at 1:30 p.m. in the Port of Port Townsend conference room in the hospital building at Point Hudson.