The Port of Centralia Commission voted 2-1 Wednesday to adopt its 2026 final budget but opted against a property tax levy increase for the 2026 fiscal year.
Commissioner Peter Lahmann was the lone opposing vote.
The port’s total operating revenues amount to $1,018,942, with total non-operating revenues listed at over $14.9 million. Total non-operating expenses are listed at $1,173,272, and total expenses amount to $3,123,263.
Port Executive Director Kyle Heaton reminded commissioners that while sales of fixed assets are listed on the budget at over $13.6 million under its total non-operating revenues, they have not closed and are associated with accounts receivable.
The port will spend an estimated $420,850 on maintenance and operations, including $195,000 for maintenance salaries and $115,000 for maintenance benefits and taxes. Salaries for commissioners and administration staff add up to $581,970, and the port will pay a total of $940,091 in salary and benefit expenses. That includes $125,000 in combined health insurance costs for staff and $95,000 for commissioners’ health insurance.
The port anticipates spending $257,000 on outside services, including $75,000 for marketing and community relations, $70,000 on general administrative legal expenses, and $65,000 for accounting and auditing, among others.
Additionally, the port will pay $107,050 in general and administrative costs, most notably $50,000 for insurance. Costs for long-term liabilities amount to $1,173,272. Capital expenditures add up to $225,000.
Heaton told the commissioners that the port’s outstanding debt balance will be down to $500,000 by the end of next month and under $300,000 by the following year. He added that the budget includes a 0% increase in the property tax levy and that the rate would be about 29.7 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. Commissioner Kyle Markstrom estimated that citizens with a $400,000 property would pay about $125 per year on the property tax levy.
As the commissioners discussed the motion to approve the final budget, Lahmann raised concern about what he perceived was a lack of detail in the budget. Markstrom pressed Lahmann on the type of additional detail he sought.
“This continual thing on the budget is so frustrating to me. What information do you desire? Tell me what detail means,” Markstrom said. “What detail do you desire that you do not have? We do this year after year, and you continually throw our staff under the bus as if they’re not doing a good job, stating that you would like more detail, but you can never say what detail you want. I'm sick and tired of it. What detail do you want? We’ll take all the time in the world right now.”
Lahmann said his questions from the meeting were answered. He requested a breakdown of what the port pays to individual staff members and commissioners.
Heaton and Markstrom both pointed out that those details are included in every bill and check the commissioners sign, adding that agencies don’t typically budget every position separately.
To view the port’s full 2026 final budget, visit pages 5 and 6 of the port’s Nov. 19 meeting agenda at https://tinyurl.com/4cyk8pem.
