The Port's 2027 budget was on the Oct. 20 agenda, and neither its levy request nor its lease terms are on the record yet
What happened: The 2027 budget was on the agenda for the Port of Bellingham Commission's Tue., Oct. 20 meeting at 4 p.m. (1801 Roeder Ave., also on Zoom and YouTube). The agenda listed a 2027 budget presentation; three capital budget transfers of $7,000, $8,000 and $45,000, the last creating a "Fairhaven Station Access Improvements" project; five lease items; and an agreement with Blaine for its Wharf District. As of Oct. 18 the Port's Agenda Center had no meeting packet, so the lease rents and terms and the 2027 levy request could not be checked then.
Why it matters: The Port is a taxing district: its commissioners set its property tax levy, and the budget goes to the County Executive by Dec. 1. Last year's levy was $7,913,819, a 0% increase over 2025, adopted Nov. 18, 2025 after hearings Nov. 4 and 18. This year's request and hearing dates aren't posted. Salish Current reports a planned $36M investment in the Shipping Terminal in 2027, backed by a $23.5M federal grant, and an airport and terminal expected to run at a loss a third year. The commission is also changing: voters fill Districts 4 and 5 on Nov. 3, and the board grows from three to five members.
What's next: the Port's open house Oct. 29, 4 to 6 p.m. at the Squalicum Boathouse, and the Nov. 3 election. The Oct. 20 minutes are not posted and no result from that meeting is on record; we'll log the votes when the minutes post.