The Port of Ridgefield commissioners have approved the port’s 2023 budget, with a focus on beginning the construction of a public waterfront park among the investments for the coming year.
During its Nov. 9 meeting, the commissioners approved the $1,351,000 budget for next year. Of those expenses, the port anticipates roughly $760,000 in capital improvements in 2023, contingent on the port’s sale of its Discovery Ridge property off of South 45th Avenue, a release from the port stated.
Those improvements include the start of work on an eight-acre public park on the Lake River Waterfront.
“Our top priority next year — besides keeping the port running well — is the community’s top priority, and that’s a waterfront park,” Port of Ridgefield Commission President Scott Hughes stated in the release.
Hughes said after hearing from residents about their desire for the park, the port included $300,000 in next year’s budget to begin that work. Earlier this year, the port announced its intentions for the park, which is on land subject to a now-complete environmental cleanup.
The port is also putting capital project money toward a joint study with the Port of Woodland to look at “dark fiber” opportunities for high-speed internet infrastructure, improvements to leased property at the port’s Wisdom Ridge development, repairing the Lake River boat launch dock, upgrades to the boat launch restrooms and replacement of aging port vehicles and equipment.
The port started focusing on modernization of its assets this year, port CEO Randy Mueller stated in the release.
“The Port of Ridgefield has been an integral part of this community for 82 years. While our facilities and equipment aren’t quite that old, many are showing their age,” Mueller said.
The port’s revenues for 2023 are budgeted at $1,347,000, the release stated. Revenues come from a number of sources including building leases, broadband internet, boat launch facilities and its property tax levy.
The levy is paid by property owners in the port jurisdiction, which corresponds with the boundaries of the Ridgefield School District. In 2022, taxpayers paid 14 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation through the levy. The port expects about $834,000 collected through the levy next year.
Levy funds are used specifically for repayment of loans for construction and the waterfront cleanup, the release stated. The other revenues pay for operations of the port.
