If you live in Yelm, I want to represent you.
Yelm is Taxed and Ignored by the Port
I am a lifelong resident of yelm, and the only candidate that lives outside the Olympia, Tumwater, and Lacey area. I have volunteered in Yelm for years and love our community.
Yelm residents and businesses contribute an estimated $330,000 each year in property taxes to support the Port of Olympia.
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Why Yelm Deserves a Seat at the Table
Yelm and other rural communities in Thurston County help fund the Port of Olympia through property taxes. Yet all current commissioners and every other candidate live in the Olympia, Tumwater, and Lacey corridor. Our voices are underrepresented, and so are our interests. With no commissioner living in the southeastern part of the county, decisions are made without rural perspectives at the table. It's time for someone who lives here and understands our challenges to help shape the future of the Port.
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Rural Taxes, Urban Projects
Rural communities pay in, but the benefits do not match. The Port’s major investments go almost entirely to Olympia’s waterfront and Tumwater’s industrial zones. In contrast, Yelm received only $10,000 dollars a year through the Port’s Small Cities Program, and even that required a local match. For communities like ours, that is not enough. We are footing the bill, but the returns are concentrated elsewhere.
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Lack of Transparency Hides the Problem
The Port’s economic reports lump all data together, refusing to show where benefits are actually landing. Without breaking down job creation or revenue by geography, we can’t know if rural areas like Yelm, Tenino, or Rochester are truly getting their fair share. This lack of transparency is part of the problem, and I’m running to fix it. We deserve clear answers about where our tax dollars go and what we’re getting in return.
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The Real-Life Impact on Yelm Residents
Property values are rising fast in Yelm. That means higher property taxes, but despite paying more, we don’t see major job sites, infrastructure investments, or port-funded development here. Most of the Port’s job creation is centered near the Olympia airport and waterfront. Rural residents are commuting long distances to see any return. We need economic growth where we live.
This is a series issue.
The port admits that tax revenue is uneven. So what do they do?
Port of Olympia impact study (Dec 2021) shows 39 % of each unit’s 2020 taxes stay local; that share was credited to the city where the unit sits—marine/peninsula to Olympia, airport/New Market to Tumwater, Lacey now zero after its sale.
Looking at recent data (2020-present) here is the Port “equity” plan:
The port has two grants, the small cities program and the Advertising/Program program. The Small Cities Program returns $10,000 each to Bucoda, Rainier, Tenino, Yelm, plus one rural area. The Advertising Promotion grants: less than $70,000 for the whole county.
Why it’s not enough
Port businesses generated roughly $11,200,000 in local sales and construction taxes in 2020, almost all inside Olympia and Tumwater.
The two small city grant pots add up to just $120,000. That $120,000 comes from the same county-wide property-tax levy everyone pays, not from port generated taxes.
Bottom line: Millions stay with Olympia and Tumwater. The “equity” programs return pennies from the taxes we pay to the port.
Actual Policy Goals
It is not enough to name the problem. We need to fix it. As your Port Commissioner, I will fight for real accountability and targeted investment in our community. Here is how:
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The current ten thousand dollar grants do not match the needs of growing rural communities, and does not cover the taxes we pay to the Port. I will push to increase these funds, with flexible use for infrastructure, job creation, and community development.
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I will work to establish a dedicated fund for rural economic development focused on small business support, rural tourism, and agricultural processing aligned with what our communities actually need.
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I will advocate for a new requirement for the Port to break down its economic data by city and unincorporated area. That includes where jobs are created, where capital projects are located, and where taxpayer dollars are spent.
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Commission meetings are mostly held in Olympia. I will advocate to rotate public meetings throughout the county, including regular listening sessions in Yelm, Tenino, and Rochester so residents can be heard where they live.
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Whether it is roads, water systems, or broadband, I will work with cities and the county to coordinate Port resources with rural infrastructure needs. Economic growth cannot happen without the basics in place.
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When the Port drafts its Capital Investment Plan each year, I will advocate for rural projects to be prioritized. We need a fair share of large scale investments, not just Olympia waterfront beautification.
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I will aggressively pursue outside funding for rural projects, partnering with economic development councils, school districts, and cities to bring dollars home.
