By Joe Smillie
Gazette Reporter 

Port of Whitmanbudget drops after cable project

 

November 29, 2012



Without the boost of a federal telecommunications grant, the Port of Whitman County’s budget will fall back to just over $4 million in 2013.

Port commissioners unanimously approved the budget earlier this month.

The 2013 budget is a steep drop from the $11.4 million budget for 2012. The current year’s spending plan was boosted by revenue from the federal government, which repaid the port for laying 170 miles of high speed fiber optic cables in Whitman County.

That project is all but finished, and the port has signed three companies to lease access to the broadband network, which provides a high-speed connection between Spokane and Clarkston.

Port director Joe Poire said about $1 million worth of work could be used to finish up the project next year.

With more fiber line to lease out, revenues from the port’s telecommunications infrastructure are expected to increase from $280,120 this year to $591,000 in 2013.

Expenses will be up in the port’s telecom ledger, though, as the agency hired an outside firm to maintain the extra line at a cost of $140,000.

Even with the increased expenses, the port expects to net $423,500 off telecom infrastructure in 2013, an increase from a $244,206 profit this year.

Property tax receipts will increase to $1,108,000 next year, as the port commissioners opted to take the allowed one percent increase in revenue from its regular levy.

Facilities at the Port of Wilma are expected to generate a $497,500 profit next year, as leases will generate $530,300 against the port’s $32,800 in operating expenses.

Boyer Park remains the port’s biggest money loser, as operations are slated to exceed revenue by $81,200. Adding to next year’s deficit is $25,500 in repairs and maintenance to the park and the marina docks.

The port’s only revenue for Boyer is a $5,000 lease from park operator Dave Peterson.

The port set aside $767,000 to repay a one-year loan it drew from the county to cover an operational shortfall when the agency’s cash was tied up in the fiber project.

 

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