FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               For More Information Contact: Ginger Waye
October 13, 2009                                                                                               (360) 674-2381 x 12

Port CEO: 2010 Preliminary Budget Will Not Include 1 Percent Tax Increase

Bremerton (WA) – Port of Bremerton CEO Cary Bozeman told Port Commissioners Tuesday he will present a preliminary budget October 27 that does not include the 1 percent tax property tax increase allowed under state law.

Bozeman said his budget would contain that revision and others in response to feedback from commissioners and the public on the working document presented at last week's budget workshop.

The staff's initial budget draft reduced the Port's reliance on property taxes for operating its core businesses from 51 percent to 33.7 percent. When the actual preliminary budget is presented, it will reduce it even further to 33.2 percent.

The Port operates three business divisions: its airport, two marinas and its industrial and business parks.

Bozeman said the staff had identified $200,000 in additional expense cuts that would allow the Port to hold the budget flat with no tax increase and also put additional money into reserves. He said most of the expense cuts would come in capital projects, including a proposed recreational field at the Port's industrial park. Here is the list of capital projects that would be eliminated:

• Multi-use recreational field, $35,000
• Restrooms and visitor seating for recreational field, $100,000.
• Remodeling of the Airport Diner, $50,000.
• Painting of the Viking Fence building, $25,000.
• Land preparation for an RV Park, $50,000.

One capital project expense was increased by $25,000 -- for site, utilities and building improvements to Olympic View Business Park.

Bozeman said he would continue to propose a staff position for marketing and communications, focused primarily on marketing the Port's business operations. He said the position's salary would be budgeted at $65,000 rather than the $80,000 originally proposed.

He said the narrower focus was recommended by staff adviser Scott Ware, who suggested that while the Port's public outreach efforts should continue, the Port would benefit more from effective business marketing aimed at making its marinas, airport, and industrial and business parks more successful.

Ware, who has advised the Port on a contract basis in the areas of public outreach and sustainability, has informed commissioners he does not intend to apply for the new position if it were created. Instead, he will complete his graduate work in sustainability in December and pursue other opportunities.

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