Last week, Port of Everett Commissioner Michael Hoffmann resigned in a dispute over his residency. As a replacement is sought to fill out the last few months of Hoffmann’s term, it seems like a good time to reprise a report we first published last year.
The Port of Everett’s mission is to grow businesses and jobs. It does so by creating opportunities for others to make money. The port also makes its own money running four shipping terminals. It owns 3,000 acres and manages the biggest public marina on the West Coast.
The people of Everett voted to create the special government entity in 1918. In the early years, the port shipped wood products churned out by the city’s waterfront mills. Today, the port’s niche is handling large items for manufacturing and construction, such as aerospace assemblies and wind-energy components.
Taxes
The port’s operations are mostly self-supporting. But the port taxes property owners to help pay for capital improvements, debt service and environmental projects. The port levies a tax that calculates to 29 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, generating $3.3 million this year. Tax collection will be almost 20 percent less than in 2012.
The port’s taxing district lines were drawn up nearly a century ago and have been expanded only once since — to include Hat Island. In 2011, district lines were shifted so that each now touches a waterfront community. The boundaries encompass most of Everett and parts of Mukilteo and adjacent unincorporated areas of Snohomish County.
Budget
This year’s budget is about $50 million, with $29.3 million dedicated to operations and $20.6 million slated for capital improvements and environmental cleanup. Operating revenue is projected to be $26.8 million in 2013, and non-operating revenue, which includes the property tax levy, is projected to be $6.4 million. The balance of spending comes from cash on hand carried over from 2012.
Leadership
Three elected commissioners govern the port, serving six-year terms. Each earns $635 per month, plus $114 per meeting attended. Annual compensation per commissioner cannot exceed $13,680.
District 1: Troy McClelland of Everett, who is CEO of Economic Alliance Snohomish County (2010-15).
District 2: Tom Stiger of Everett, who has worked in shipping and commercial fishing (2012-17).
District 3: Michael Hoffmann of Everett, who runs Hoffmann Architectural Design (2008-13; resigned).
On the Web
For more information about the Port of Everett, go to www.portofeverett.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
