Dewatto port closes in on 2023 budget

Kirk Boxleitner | Nov 24, 20220

The Port of Dewatto’s 2023 budget discussion began with port volunteer Kris Tompkins going over what the port accomplished in 2022, from replacing four fire rings to repairing the campground’s electrical system.

The concrete parking area next to the port building was cleaned, new striping was painted, as were picnic tables and doors.

The port also implemented the campground’s online reservation and payment system.

Tompkins said she and Port Manager Jeana Crosby budgeted $4,000 for new blinds for the 2023 budget, while $2,000 was carried forward from 2022 for a refrigerator, along with $500 for four more fire rings at the campground, as part of its replacement program.

Crosby then reviewed the port’s wish list for 2023.

For two new campground gates, Tompkins said she would need to compare prices, while the rest of the list included:

■ Crushed rock for a French drain, to be placed behind the port building, to stop rainwater from going into the basement.

■ Additional crushed rock for the port driveway and the campground, to improve the roads.

■ A simple irrigation system.

■ Gutter replacements and snow guards.

■ Janitorial service twice a year to provide deep cleaning that would include windows and carpets.

■ A play area at the campground.

Port commissioners approved $250 for new campground gates, $1,000 for the French drain rock behind the port building, $2,500 for rock at the campground and the port driveway, and $1,000 for janitorial services.

Port Commission Chair Ray Mow suggested looking for neighborhood help with spreading rock, perhaps asking a Boy Scout troop.

A total of $4,750 was added to the 2023 expenditure budget.

The playground proposal was not approved due to liability and safety concerns, nor were gutter replacements or snow guards. Commissioners reasoned the old ones are still holding up, and did well through the past year’s storms.

As for an in-ground port irrigation system, the port decided the existing sprinkler system would suffice.

Turning to the 2023 budget’s proposed revenues and expenditures, Tompkins budgeted less from the state Department of Natural Resources’ timber trust and more for investment interest, while the rest of the projections were comparable to the 2022 budget revenues.

The 2022 use of beginning fund balance was set at $13,500, while the 2023 use of beginning fund balance was set at $19,000 in its first draft.

Tompkins noted the 2023 expenditure budget is similar to the 2022 expenditure budget — 2022 was $119,500 and 2023 was roughly $120,000.

The port agreed the four items totaling $4,750 would be placed in the expenditure budget, so the revenue budget would be adjusted accordingly.

When Port Commissioner David Haugen asked about the 1% increase in property taxes, Tompkins noted the levy amount decreases, even when the 1% is taken, and the only way to increase that levy amount would be to go to the ballot to lift the levy, which she did not recommend.

The Port of Dewatto’s budget is due to Mason County by Wednesday.