HOOD RIVER — The Port of Hood River board of commissioners met with staff Nov. 14 for their Fall Planning Session. As they enter the final months of 2023, port staff is continuing the search for additional revenue opportunities.
According to Resolution No. 2022-23-11 — approved in April — the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge will continue to charge tolls, but the port will not receive revenue from the tolls past June 30, 2026. Other topics up for discussion were potentially updating the port’s vision and mission statement, reviewing financial policies and strategies, bridge replacement news and property sustainability.
Port Commissioner Tor Bieker spoke to the port’s current vision and mission statement, saying it is too vague and describing it as a “word salad.” (The mission statement reads: “The Port of Hood River works to promote and maintain a healthy economy and strong quality of life in the Port District and throughout the Columbia Gorge.”) Port Executive Director Kevin Greenwood said state statute allows for revisions every five to six years, and this is good timing as the port enters a very important stretch of time. Commissioners suggested hiring a PR firm to uphold the port’s image among residents and voters.
“What do we want to be known for post-bridge [construction]?” Commissioner Mike Fox said. Fox also suggested creating a working committee for the bridge’s centennial birthday on Dec. 6. The port will consider ideas for the 100th birthday celebrations. Commissioners decided to ask staff for input on before committing to a new mission statement.
Finance Director Debbie Smith-Wagar spoke to the port’s financial operating systems, where they have been successful and areas they can improve. An overriding theme was the organization of department finances and the review of policies regarding financial planning and reporting, budget, revenue and reserves, cost allocation, cash management, payment processing, debt management and more. Capital improvements have become much more of a priority for the port, as it looks to lease property as a main source of revenue.
According to the port’s financial policies section, “All assets will be maintained at a level that protects capital investment and minimizes future maintenance and replacement costs. A high priority should be placed on maintenance where deferring maintenance will result in greater costs to restore or replace neglected facilities / equipment.”
Traditionally, the port has dealt with capital improvements on a year-to-year basis, but Smith-Wagar and Board President Kristi Chapman agreed that a five-year plan would be more beneficial. A five-year plan would be helpful to realize the amount of reserve funds to pay for maintenance and improvements. It would also show the schedule for expenditures and funding sources. According to Smith-Wagar, a five-year plan will be available for planning purposes in the spring.
The port has had the same software and financial reporting structure for at least two decades, and Smith-Wagar said it should to be updated in order to reflect the port’s current needs. The current setup makes it difficult for department heads to manage their budgets. Using the communications department as an example, part of their budget is in the current General Fund, and part is in the current Revenue Fund. Smith-Wagar has proposed five new funds and eight separate departments. For a full list of each fund and department visit the meeting note’s archive for Nov. 14. There was consensus at the meeting that staff is ready to the proposed changes.
In response to the resolution restricting toll revenue solely for the new bridge maintenance, the commission directed staff to increase revenues and decrease expenses.
Waterfront and marina changes
Recently the port changed its paid parking program, shifting to an online payment system. Greenwood and Deputy Director Genevieve Scholl reported the change was a “wild success.” Parking revenue grew nearly 20% from 2022 to 2023, with revenue surpassing $435,000. Since this time in 2022, the waterfront revenue has increased by 4% while expenses were reduced by 39%. Despite this, the waterfront recreation department reported losses of $208,000 for FY (fiscal year) 2023.
During the meeting alternative funding options were discussed, among those was a possible five-year operating levy for maintaining the waterfront. Other ideas included hiring out port staff to other governmental agencies to provide services in their parks, hiring out a private landscaping company for parks maintenance, reduce services that require the most work, raise fees for events and concessionaires or consider transferring park areas and revenue streams to the city or parks district. The commission directed staff to research costs associated with hiring a private company for landscaping. Fox added that an operating levy would be the last resort, and thinks that they should think about the transfer of park areas to city or parks district.
The commission is moving forward with adjusting parking rates at the marina boat launch. Lowering the price for a year pass to $100 — down from $200 — with a 25% senior discount. Daily rates will remain at $15 a day. The port is considering a tiered approach to parking on port property.
Lower Mill in Odell
This year, the port dedicated resources to preparing the Lower Mill property in Odell ready for construction. The four-acre lot is zoned as light industrial, but Fox is adamant that an RV park would make the most sense with transient workers expected to temporarily relocate to Hood River when construction of the new bridge begins.
“We’ve got to decide whether we want to fight for it or just roll with the wind," Fox said. "If you don’t push back it won’t happen."
Greenwood said there have been conversations with city and county officials on workforce housing, but rezoning the Lower Mill lot would be a great undertaking.
“This is going to be a very heavy lift from a land use perspective,” Greenwood added.
HNTB Bridge Replacement Project Director Mike Shannon provided an update on the bridge replacement project. He said he is pleased with where the project is at and expects to receive more funding within the next year. Construction is slated to begin October 2025, with the contractor and engineer scheduled to begin work on April 1, 2024. Design for the project is fully funded. Shannon said they will know more about how port facilities will be impacted by the new bridge next spring. Currently, the port is looking into relocating administration offices.
To watch the entire meeting, visit the Port of Hood River’s YouTube page at www.youtube.com/@portofhoodriver2178/streams.
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