By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Bellingham has received a clean bill of financial health from the Washington State Auditor’s Office for fiscal year budget ending December. 31, 2017. This could mean a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the port. Should the port earn the recognition, it would make it 26 straight years of receiving the certificate.
“A clean audit report is a reflection of the Port of Bellingham’s commitment towards excellence in financial reporting,” said Port Commission President Ken Bell. “The Board of Commissioners holds the stewardship of taxpayer funds in the highest regard and receives quarterly financial updates in open public meetings as part of a transparent and responsible financial management process.”
The 2017 budget showed that the port received $23.7 million in operations revenue and more than $7 million in taxes while it spent $20 million on capital assets.