PORT TOWNSEND — The success of efforts to preserve timbered property at the entrance to the city was assured Monday when Jefferson County commissioners kicked in more than $26,000 to buy the land.

Approval of the payment brought disagreement among the three commissioners and required them to go against the recommendation of the committee on projects that should receive funding from the Conservation Futures Fund.

Pat Rodgers, R-Brinnon, said he wasn’t opposed to saving the buffer, but set a spending limit of $20,000 from any county fund for the idea and cast the lone vote against the $26,000 idea.

Port Townsend City Councilman Kees Kolff, a member of the Jefferson Land Trust and one of the most ardent supporters of the project, said he was pleased with the commissioners’ decision.

“I’m happy that we can finally close the deal,” Kolff said after commissioners reached their decision.