Please vote yes on Proposition 1, the Port of Port Townsend proposed Industrial Development Districtl levy.
The Port is in desperate financial circumstances that require a new funding source to maintain and improve its mission.
State and federal funding assistance is limited and current port-generated revenue is inadequate to meet current critical needs.
If winter storms breach critical breakwaters at Point Hudson and Boat Haven Commercial Basin, the social and economic loss will be disastrous.
Original 1934 building roofs in Point Hudson leak and eventually the framing will rot.
Boat Haven needs modern electrical metering.
Boat ramps and docks at Mats Mats and Quilcene are falling apart.
Marina entrances need dredging to accommodate large vessels using the 300-ton travel lift.
Port buildings leased to the marine trades need new roofs, walls, windows and mechanical systems.
While the current lease rates are low, it’s unreasonable to expect market rates for these worn-out structures.
Market studies have shown that the current haul-out and moorage rates are competitive and appropriate.
In retrospect, although working in good faith to make decisions in the best interest of all county residents, Port commissioners have made mistakes in financial management.
In spite of this, Boat Haven stormwater runoff quality was fixed by making the existing system work as intended without expensive reconstruction.
This model can work again.
This new tax is a small price to pay to protect and continue our wonderful marine heritage.
Please vote yes.
Harold T. Andersen,
Port Townsend