Port of Tacoma commissioners have scheduled three public meetings to consider the Port’s 2009 budget, cargo forecast, finance plan and tax levy.

The first budget meeting at noon on Nov. 6 will include an update on the third quarter of the 2008 budget and a preliminary look at the 2009 capital plans, revenue projections, tax levy and finance plans. This general business presentation will not call for public comment, but community members are encouraged to attend to hear how the Port’s budget is formed. Presentation materials are available on the Port’s Web site at http://www.portoftacoma.com/budget .

The Nov. 13 meeting at noon will include a more in-depth look at cargo forecasts, capital building plans, tax levy and the 2009 budget. Commissioners will invite public comment at this meeting.

The final meeting at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 21 is a special public hearing to formally adopt the 2009 statutory budget, tax levy and authorization to bank excess tax levy capacity.
All three meetings will be held in The Fabulich Center, Room 104, at 3600 Port of Tacoma Rd. in Tacoma. The public is encouraged to attend. Meetings also are streamed live from the Port’s Web site at http://www.portoftacoma.com and are later broadcast on Click! and Comcast throughout Pierce County.

These public budget meetings build upon the four Port 101 workshops held around Pierce County in October. Citizens who attended workshops in Tacoma, Puyallup, Gig Harbor and Lakewood learned about the Port’s history, mission, future plans and financial structure. A video of the workshop presentation is available on the Port Web site at http://www.portoftacoma.com .