Port of Tacoma commissioners have scheduled two public meetings in November to consider the port’s 2016 budget, finance plan and tax levy.

The first budget meeting on Nov. 5 will include an in-depth look at the 2016 operating budget, capital building plans, finance plan and the tax levy. Commissioners will invite public comment at this meeting.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance’s 2016 operating budget and capital building plans are an integral part of the Port of Tacoma’s budget. Both were reviewed in October at two public meetings. The NWSA draft budget is available at www.nwseaportalliance.com/about/commissions. The alliance is a port development authority governed by the ports of Tacoma and Seattle to manage the two ports’ marine cargo operations.

Community members are encouraged to attend the Nov. 5 meeting to hear how the port’s budget is formed and provide input before the budget is adopted at the Nov. 17 meeting.

More information about the draft budget is available on the port’s website at www.portoftacoma.com/budget. Hard copies of the presentation will be available at the port administration building and at both meetings.

The Nov. 17 meeting will include a public hearing to formally adopt the 2016 statutory budget, tax levy and authorization to bank excess tax levy capacity.

Both meetings begin at noon 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 from the Port’s website at www.portoftacoma.com/about/commission​ 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. More than 29,000 jobs are generated by port activity, which also provides $195 million per year in state and local taxes to support education, roads and police and fire protection for our community. As a partner in The Northwest Seaport Alliance, the Port of Tacoma is also a major cargo gateway to Asia and Alaska. To learn more about the Port of Tacoma, visit www.portoftacoma.com.