10-year forecast presented at Hood River port’s spring planning session

Smith-Wagar said they are getting a feel for the new finance software, and the port is using a 10-year forecast model to estimate future revenue and expenses for all of their individual business centers. The port is preparing to end the 2024-25 Fiscal Year on June 30; the deadline to file their annual budget is July 15.

Commission President Kristi Chapman thanked staff and said the spring planning forecasts are “a total game changer,” and Smith-Wagar said despite dealing with vacancies on various port properties, the industrial property cost center is a reliable source of revenue. The forecasts consider inflation rates, future expenses and the new bridge to help the commission create a long-term plan. Smith-Wagar said she took the new bridge price estimation and conducted the budget process with the assumption that the new bridge would be operational by 2032.

The port recently transitioned to fully electronic tolling and closed the toll booth, which removed a total of about four full-time positions and cut their annual wage expenditures by approximately 30% or $299,227.

The budget and spring packet is available on the port’s website under the “Governance” and board meetings tab.

Parking at the port

An agreement between the port, Mt. Hood Meadows and Columbia Area Transit (CAT) has been in place for the last two winter seasons to provide shuttle rides for Meadows employees to alleviate parking congestion on the mountain and generate positive revenue for the port. Waterfront Manager Daryl Stafford and staff met with CAT Executive Director Amy Schlappi and they agreed on a contract in which CAT will pay a one-time fee of $2,000 for parking at the event site parking lot from November to March.

Stafford is meeting with the Meadows Transportation Director this week to discuss fees for the 2025-26 season. At spring planning, port commissioners directed staff to bring more data to their next meeting to determine appropriate next steps.

The port has been pursuing additional paid parking at the Hood River waterfront and have contracted with HRK Engineering and Field Services for design work. In 2024, the port reported a net gain of $212,440 from the sale of parking passes and pay-to-park sales. The port is looking at two vacant lots west of the Maritime building, and another to the south of Ferment near the food cart area. At the port’s March 18 meeting, in Greenwood’s executive director report, the City of Hood River finished their review of the project two weeks earlier than anticipated, which leaves the door open for construction to occur before the busy summer months.

Commissioner Mike Fox wanted to prioritize the construction of storage units in Odell. He said the project would have less impact on the public and generate more revenue during months when there are fewer visitors to Hood River. Greenwood said the storage units project is “a ways off” in the future. The port must consult with the county, there is no preliminary design, and they have no budget authority to start engineering or design, according to Greenwood. Currently, the port is anticipating a $598,808 deficit at the Lower Hanel Mill property center (this number is subject to change by June 30).

Commissioners directed staff to move forward with construction of the waterfront parking lots with the stipulation that the lots be open to the public by July 4. The commission said if the timeline does not support a July 4 completion date, they directed staff to wait until after Labor Day to begin construction. Fox suggested implementing financial penalties for the design and construction teams if they are unable to finish by July 4.

Columbia Gorge News will continue its coverage of the port’s spring planning session in the April 30 edition.