Port to ask a judge to block Chelan County moratorium on new tax district

The Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority intends to ask a judge to stop Chelan County from enforcing a moratorium on Tax Increment Finance Districts (TIF) in the county. The Port says they plan to create such a district in and around Malaga to bring in the necessary revenue to build the infrastructure for future economic development.

“The Port Commission questions whether the county has authority to halt the Port from using a financing tool expressly provided by the Washington State Legislature (in RCW 39.114),” explained Jim Kuntz, the CEO of the Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority. “Ultimately, this is a legal question that will be resolved by the courts.”

“As an economic catalyst for the area, the Port promotes investments, develops infrastructure to support businesses, and facilitates initiatives that deliver measurable economic benefits,” added Kuntz. “The first objective in our strategic plan (2025-2029) is to proactively plan for and respond to evolving regional economic conditions. This project (creation of a Tax Increment Financing District) will create the infrastructure necessary to support private investment, create thousands of jobs, and provide for long-term growth in the tax base that benefits all taxing districts.”

The Port contends a TIF is not a new tax or a diversion of existing revenues. It is a financing mechanism that captures a portion of future growth in assessed value to invest in public infrastructure supporting future investment in the area.

Learn more about the Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority here.