PORT ANGELES — Port of Port Angeles commissioners have approved the agency’s 2025 budget, property tax levy and comprehensive scheme of harbor improvements.
The 2025 budget forecasts $24 million in revenues, $22 million in expenses and an ending cash balance of $21 million, a $1.6 million increase over 2024. It passed Tuesday with no changes from commissioners Connie Beauvais, Steve Burke and Colleen McAleer.
The budget forecasts port operating expenses ($8,930,505) to increase about 3.2 percent and operating revenues ($11,711,566) to increase 4.3 percent over 2024 end-of-year projections.
The marine terminal will continue to lead operating revenues ($2,897,638). Despite less log ship activity — three ships compared to four in 2024 — the port anticipates chip barge activity and slightly increased dock revenue from Cable Innovator, Foss Maritime,Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) and Platypus.
William R. Fairchild International Airport rental properties are forecast to generate more revenue, primarily due to development of new properties, and see less expenses due to self-performance work that lowered maintenance costs.
Revenue at the intermodal handling and transfer facility (log yard) is projected to be down from 2024 mostly due to lower local timber harvests.
Moorage rates at John Wayne Marina and Port Angeles Boat Haven will have Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases that will boost operating revenues at both facilities. The specific CPI rate will be decided later this year.
The port will continue to support a number of community groups and events, including sponsoring the Olympic Logging Show and waiving moorage for the Sea Scouts.
The capital budget, strategic plan and recreation and access plan were included in the port’s comprehensive scheme.
The $12.4 million capital budget will pay for the rehab of taxiway A at the airport ($5.4 million), site development at the Marine Trade Center ($1.24 million) and purchase of a spud barge ($1.25 million). Other 2025 capital projects include the boat launch replacement at John Wayne Marina ($340,000), four electric vehicle port fleet charging stations ($200,000) and purchase of a hangar and site prep ($940,000).
About 70 percent of the capital budget is funded with grants.
The 1 percent property tax levy commissioners approved will generate $1.8 million in revenue next year. It was the maximum the port could levy without asking voters to approve an increase above the 1 percent limit (a levy lid lift). The 2025 levy will be based on a rate of $0.1049 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
Commissioners also approved on second consideration a one-year lease with Project Macoma for a laboratory, office, light manufacturing, testing and research and development facility at the intermodal handling and transfer facility for $2,852 a month. It is also leasing berthage at Terminal C for $1,584 a month. Its lease includes two one-year options to renew.
Port Executive Director Paul Jarkiewicz told commissioners the port had consent from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe to move forward with the lease, although the memorandum of understanding had not yet been signed.
Project Macoma plans to pull seawater from Port Angeles Harbor, treat it to make it less acidic and then return the water back into the harbor. The goal is a system that will reduce carbon in the atmosphere.
The port’s 2025 budget can be found at tinyurl.com/2a7bc2fk.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
