Port of Tacoma commissioners have scheduled three public meetings to consider the Port’s 2011 budget, cargo forecast, finance plan and tax levy.

The first budget meeting on Nov. 4 will include a preliminary look at the 2011 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.

The Nov. 16 meeting will include a more in-depth look at cargo forecasts, capital building plans, tax levy and the 2011 budget. Commissioners will invite public comment at this meeting.

The final meeting Nov. 22 is a special public hearing to formally adopt the 2011 statutory budget, tax levy and authorization to bank excess tax levy capacity.

All three meetings will be held in Room 104 of the Fabulich Center, at 3600 Port of Tacoma Rd. in Tacoma. The public is encouraged to attend. Meetings also are streamed live at www.portoftacoma.com/webstreaming and are later broadcast on Click! and Comcast throughout Pierce County.

About the Port of Tacoma
The Port of Tacoma is an economic engine for South Puget Sound, with more than 43,000 family-wage jobs in Pierce County and 113,000 jobs across Washington state connected to Port activities. A major gateway to Asia and Alaska, the Port of Tacoma is among the largest container ports in North America. The Port is also a major center for bulk, breakbulk and project/heavy-lift cargoes, as well as automobiles and trucks.