What's buzzing about the Port?

Since it may be confusing for some Port District residents to understand the purpose and value of their investment in Port assets, I thought it would be a useful opportunity to begin a dialogue on this subject, starting with the subject of the funding of port operations and an explanation of the investment of public money from property taxes and leasehold taxes.

Property tax vs. Lease-Hold Tax

Camas and Washougal homeowners are assessed a property tax twice a year. For one tax district in Washougal, the property tax rate is $9.89 per $1,000 of assessed property value. If you own a home valued at $200,000, then your annual property tax is $1,978.  Approximately 1/3 of this amount, $672, funds Washougal Schools.

More information is found here: http://www.co.clark.wa.us/assessor/documents/2008regularlevies.pdf

(Your most recent property tax report contains a code that indicates if you live in the incorporated or unincorporated areas of the City of Camas or Washougal. Note: Some Camas residents live in the Port of Vancouver district.)

In 2009, the property tax assessment portion for the Port of Camas-Washougal is 36 cents per $1000 of assessed property value. In simple terms, if your home is valued at $200,000, $72 of your property tax assessment is invested in the Port.

The Washington Leasehold Tax (LET) was created in 1976, as a way to provide a uniform method of taxation for users of publicly owned property. The LET is limited to 12.84 percent of the rent paid on public property. Most of this revenue goes to the state general fund—54 percent—the remainder is divided between the County-27 percent and the City-19 percent. A business that pays $50,000 for an annual lease pays $6,420 in LET tax and $1,414 of this amount funds K-12 schools across the state.

So, both homeowners and business owners contribute to Port operations. Here’s another way to understand a few of the benefits of your Port investment…

• Public access to and maintenance of the largest publicly-owned recreational marina on the Washington side of the Columbia River. Fisherman and boat owners know the value and benefit of all of the amenities at the riverfront including a 356-slip marina, gas dock, 4-lane launch ramp, floating restaurant and commercial boat service/repair facility directly adjacent to launch ramps.
• Public access, improvement and maintenance of the Marina Park for sightseeing, picnics and our popular summer concerts.
• Public access, improvement and maintenance of Grove Field – a general aviation airport with private hangars, airplane maintenance, inspection & repair and an important local venue that provides opportunities for private instruction to earn pilot licenses.
• Public access to and upkeep of Captain William Clark Park (formerly Cottonwood Beach). A five-mile long sandy stretch of beach along the Columbia River. This 85-acre park is popular with beach lovers, walkers and joggers.
• Maintenance and upkeep of the dike trail. Popular for wildlife viewing, walking and jogging, the dike is also maintained by the Port to Army Corps of Engineers standards, to ensure there is no flooding by the Columbia River.
• Development and maintenance of the industrial park, that includes creating the necessary infrastructure of roads, utilities that attract businesses and bring jobs to the area.
• Public access and upkeep of the Parkersville National Historical site. Located adjacent to the riverside marina, this is an important historical landmark and a popular site for historians, visitors and park lovers.

Some critics argue that selling all Port property to private developers and giving the money to schools is the best approach. We beg to differ.

Here are a few questions that should be answered followed by examples of proven success.

How fast could the property really be developed? How would it be managed? What control/input would the public have over prime waterfront real estate with private developers? Who would properly manage the maintenance of the Columbia River dike, rail line, storm-water runoff, the airport, the marina and existing industrial park areas?

The responsible party and answer to these questions is: the Port of Camas-Washougal! Its mission is to responsibility develop and maintain all of these assets while encouraging citizen input and discourse for the best usage and increase opportunities for local job growth and recreation. Ultimately, this stewardship also contributes to preserving the historical significance of this region through public education.

For many people, making their dreams a reality is made possible through the use of Port facilities. Consider the following:

Business owners and Entrepreneurs

You’re a local business owner who wants to grow your business with office space. Should you lease or buy? If you choose to lease office space and later consider purchasing land or office space as your business grows, the Port has both options available. In fact, the Port already has the infrastructure available in its industrial park. Roads, electricity, sewer, water, even prefabricated buildings or build-outs are available at competitive rates.

One good example of this success on Port property is Foods in Season. http://www.foodsinseason.com/ This small business started out in 1982 by leasing building space with a handful of family members to sell fresh foods. Today, it is an $8 million dollar international business with nearly two-dozen employees and has purchased its own property and constructed a building in the Port industrial park. It all began with an entrepreneur with a business passion and Port facilities to help realize the dream.

Fishing enthusiasts & boat owners

As a boating enthusiast, you regularly enjoy fishing trips and sightseeing trips from your boat moored at the marina. You have 24-hour access to a secure marina that protects your boat from the water hazards and debris flowing down river. You park your car in the lot and enjoy a day on the river.  As a fisherman, you pay a modest fee to launch your boat, spend a day cruising the river splitting your time trolling for salmon and watching the grandkids learn how to wakeboard. RVr’s can even spend the night in the parking lot. It all begins with a day on the water.

Aviation enthusiasts & airplane owners

As a father of a son who loves airplanes, you enroll you son in aviation classes at Grove Field and part of his participation is funded by a scholarship earned through the local Camas Washougal Airport Association (CWAA). He goes off to college to study aviation and returns during the summer to complete his instrument rating with the goal of becoming a commercial pilot with a major airline. It all begins at Grove Field airport.

History Buff and Park Lovers

The Marina Park offers picnics along the river, free summer concerts and some of the most panoramic views of Mt. Hood. The adjacent Historical Park showcases memorabilia that honors the original usage of the site as a transportation hub from the ferry service operated by David C. Parker. And don’t forget the historical visit by Lewis & Clark who camped at Captain William Clark Park (formerly Cottonwood Beach) and were hosted by the Chinook Indians who lived here for years prior to the visit of the Corps of Discovery. It all begins along the banks of the Columbia River – freely accessible to the public.