One would think that there was a lesson to be learned from the Riverwalk fiasco, one of which was; Read a contract before signing it.

 

In an 11th Hour push by exiting Port Commissioners Hargrave and Carroll and supported by Port Executive Director Dave Ripp and Port attorney Shawn McPherson - the Fab Four tried to push through a $2,000,000 land purchase within the Industrial park last Monday.  Hambleton Lumber currently owns 10 acres of lumber mill, a building and old equipment on the site near 32nd Street and Hwy 14. 

McPherson was the Port attorney that pushed the commissioners into signing the famous Riverwalk options agreement that ended in the eventual political demise of Hargrave and Carroll.

Commissioner Carroll admitted to signing the document without reading it on the advice of McPherson. Yet, surprisingly, McPherson retained his position as Port attorney; even though, most believe, his advice cost the taxpayers around $1Million and counting has he continues to now attempt to get blood out of turnip by pursuing Riverwalk principles and drive them into bankruptcy.

Based on the Riverwalk fiasco alone, common sense would dictate that commissioners and staff should be a bit cautious and skeptical about signing a document unseen, yet it appears commissioner Bill Ward is the only one being cautious with the taxpayer’s money. Monday he refused to move forward until he has had a chance to read the agreements that the other four are so hurriedly pushing forward.

So you ask “what does this have to do with the school and local economy?” Well, let’s take a look at the ramifications of this purchase:

The Port has a verbal agreement to purchase land from Hambleton Lumber (assessed value $2.7million) for $2,000.000 and then turn around and lease it back to Hambleton for $15,000/mo.for five years, with an option to renew for another five years. 

What they didn't bother to tell us, is the loss in revenues to the local community and school district in the process. I wouldn't have so much of a concern about them purchasing more land if their intent was to purchase the land, and turn around and sell it at a profit - benefiting the local community. But that is not the case. They will LEASE the land to Hambleton Lumber.

Currently, Hambleton Lumber owns the land, building and equipment and pays property taxes on the assessed value.

Approximately $8,000 per year goes directly to the Washougal School District just from the Property taxes. The remainder of those taxes is divided up among the city of Washougal, Clark County, libraries, and state.

63% of property tax money stays in the local community.

The local economy and schools can Kiss that goodbye when Hamilton leases their land from the port.

Under a lease, Hamilton will pay $23,040 per year in lease taxes. They get a great deal, paying lease tax on $2 Million rather than currently paying property taxes on $2.7million

75% ($17,280) of that will LEAVE our area an go straight to the State of WA. General fund.

19% to Ft. Vanc. library and Clark county.

5% to to Port

>1% to the Washougal School District trickled down from the State General fund (only $80/yr)

Hambleton, nor the port, will pay any money directly to the schools under a Lease.

 

WINNERS:

Hambleton Lumber                       $2,000,000 income, $0 property tax payments

                                                Allegedly may add 30 additional minimum wage jobs ????

 

Port of CW                                                       $180,000/year lease fees, pays no property tax, pays no REET property sales tax. Becomes the proud owner of an old building, and old saw mill equipment

 

LOSERS:

 

Washougal School Dist.          $8000/yr from prop. taxes reduced to $80/yr from State distribution

                                                $10,000 loss in property sale to the port vs. a private corp.

City of Washougal                   Loss of REET tax income,

Taxpayers                                $2,000,000 to subsidize Hamilton Lumber

$756,000 in REET taxes not collected because the Port doesn't pay taxes on land sold to them whereas a company would pay REET taxes.

                                                Local schools lose more income

                                                $0 property tax income to the local economy

 

What happens if Hambleton cancels their lease?

They walk away with $2million

They walk away from an old building and old equipment they could only get a pittance of money for by scrapping it.

They walk away from a potential contaminated land site. (Buried cars, and heaven knows what else)

Who pays to clean up the old equipment and Land (can you spell t-a-x-p-a-y-e-r?)

 

Why does the Port want more land and buildings when they can’t lease their existing epty buildings and have no intention of selling?

 

We urge you to pick up the phone and call your port commissioners, Washougal Mayors, and council to pursued the Port commission to stop this nonsense. They need to look at ALL the Ramifications to the local economy and schools and the taxpayers money.

 

Port Commissioners:

Alan Hargrave 360-835-2916 alanh@portcw.com

Jim Carroll  360-834-4100  jimc@portcw.com

Bill Ward    360-833-9894 billw@portcw.com

 

Washougal City Council:

Mayor Molly Costan  835-1246  mcoston@ci.washougal.wa.us

Mayor Elect Sean Guard: 360-834-2533 seanguard@comcast.net

Jon Russell, Council jrussell@ci.washougal.wa.us    835-3571

Jennifer McDaniel    513-4559 Council jmcdaniel@ci.washougal.wa.us

Rod Morris    835-9604 Council rmorris@ci.washougal.wa.us

Paul Greenlee  210-5209 Council pgreenlee@ci.washougal.wa.us

Michael Delavar Washougal City Councilman  (360) 771-4859
mdelavar@ci.washougal.wa.us