Port of Chehalis CEO Randy Mueller stands next to a "for sale" sign at the port in October in Chehalis.
Port of Chehalis commissioners this week approved the entity’s budget for next year, doubling the funds in the capital budget for projects.
The capital budget was increased to $200,000, which will allow for professional and contracted services at several port properties.
Work will include engineering, architecture and archeological work, along with tree and brush clearing, filling, grading, demolition, site prep and infrastructure installation.
Ten properties will be worked on, including several industrial sites on Bishop and Maurin roads.
The capital budget also includes $15,000 for the purchase of a vehicle.
Other notable changes for the 2017 budget include funding the Chehalis Community Renaissance Team at $50,000 and allotting $15,000 in payments to Chehalis attorney J. Vander Stoep for his role with the Governor’s Work Group to address flooding issues throughout the Chehalis River Basin.
It also includes a 5 percent lump sum increase for salaries and benefits for port employees.
During the Thursday meeting, commissioners also approved the tax levy for 2017. Commissioners approved a 1 percent increase from the previous year, which will allow the taxing district to collect about $692,497.26. The increase includes additional revenue from new construction, improvements to property, annexations and any increase in the value of state assessed property, among others.
After a public hearing on declaring the 1895 Bishop Road property as surplus resulted in no public comment, the land exchange agreement with the Lewis County Public Utilities District will be finalized.
Commissioners previously approved the land exchange for a property on Habien Road, adjacent to already port-owned property.
The final step takes place on an administrative level, Randy Mueller, chief executive officer of the port said. All the required board action for the land exchange has already taken place.
