Port of Dewatto works on campground, finalizes budget

Kirk Boxleitner0

The Dewatto River Campground has been closed since September, but it has not lain fallow. The Port of Dewatto Commission recently reviewed how the campground has been worked on while it’s been closed to campers.

Port of Dewatto Commissioner David Haugen said he bought and installed two new gates, replacing the existing gates at the front of the campground, due to their continued damage and poor condition.

Haugen brought the existing gates to the Port of Dewatto building, where the port might be able to use parts of them for other repairs.

Haugen also reported a damaged fence rail on the safety fence by the water, so he purchased a new rail and repaired the damaged area of the fence.

Commissioner Ted Edwards said he found the campground to be well-maintained when he walked its grounds.

Haugen said a group of car collectors asked to use the portable toilet when he was repairing the gates, and they told him they enjoyed being able to stop and rest for a few minutes.

The Port of Dewatto also used its down months to finalize its 2023 budget, which port volunteer Kris Topkins explained would have a total of $102,750 in revenue, with $22,000 coming from an estimated beginning cash balance of $213,000, to balance to the expenditure budget.

The 2023 budget amount of $124,750 was approved by the Port of Dewatto Commission without further comment.

The commissioners also authorized an increase in the regular property tax levy by 1% for the 2023 tax year, albeit with Port of Dewatto Commission Chair Ray Mow absent for both votes, which was excused due to prior notice of a family emergency.

The property tax levy is $451.09, including all three districts.

The total increase, including new construction and refund levy, is $1,223.13.

Tompkins said the Port of Dewatto will collect 35% of $132,596.48, which is the statutory levy collection.

The actual levy collection will be about $46,330.

The statutory levy rate is 45 cents, and last year’s port rate was a fraction more than 18 cents.

It would take a vote of the people to increase the levy collection.

The Port of Dewatto is also amending its 2022 budget as it closes out the year.

Tompkins said the port budgeted $5,000 for electrical repairs at the campground, but the total cost of those repairs was $17,476.10.

The revenue offset is from the unencumbered cash balance.

Port of Dewatto Manager Jeana Crosby reported the port has been receiving mail that’s been forwarded from several services that the port uses.

Crosby plans to insert a change of address in each invoice.

“We can now turn our keys in to the Belfair post office, and let them know we have a new address,” Crosby said.

Haugen volunteered to take both keys to the post office, ask if the port is due a refund, and bring a receipt for the keys back to the port for filing.