Port of Bellingham — Port of Bellingham General Fund (Current Expense) (#1)

About this fund

The Port of Bellingham operates Bellingham International Airport, the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, the Squalicum and Blaine harbors, and industrial real estate including the former Georgia-Pacific waterfront. The General Fund (also called "Current Expense") accounts for operating revenue and expenditures.

Funded by a property-tax levy (statutory cap 45 cents per $1,000 for general port purposes under RCW 53.36.020) plus operating revenue from airport, cargo, marina slips, and real-estate leases.

Authorization

The legal basis for the fund.

RCW citation: RCW 53 (port districts); RCW 84.52.043 (port levy)

Multi-year balance ledger

Year-by-year revenue, spending, and ending balance from the city's budget and CAFRs.

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Outstanding debt

Active bond and loan obligations managed by the Whatcom County Treasurer for this jurisdiction. Source: quarterly Treasurer Debt Portfolio (auto-refreshed when published).

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Where the money goes

Top spending categories from documented budget line items.

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Where the money went

Actual outflows from the City's vendor-payment ledger — every payment with recipient, project, and line description, presented unfiltered. Categorical "Where the money goes" shows the budgeted intent; this section shows the real disbursements.

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Revenue mix

Every documented inflow into this fund. By default the mix uses each source's most recent year (which means percentages mix years). Pick a single year to see strictly comparable percentages.

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Discussed in meetings

Real Briefings that mention this fund.

Jan 28, 2026

The Ferndale City Council committees advanced several significant items during their January 28, 2026 meeting, with the most substantial being approval of an eminent domain ordinance for the Portal Way I-5 Northbound ...

Jan 05, 2026

The January 5, 2026 Ferndale City Council meeting began with the swearing-in of three councilmembers and proceeded to receive critical updates on the challenging budget environments facing both federal and state ...

Sep 15, 2025

The Public Works and Natural Resources Committee moved forward with two significant environmental infrastructure projects during a brief 27-minute meeting. The committee unanimously approved a $48.8 million contract for ...

Jun 24, 2025

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee met to review the 2026 draft budget and consider significant mid-year amendments to the 2025 budget, marking an unusual departure from their typical budget cycle. The committee ...

May 19, 2025

The Bellingham City Council Committee of the Whole convened for a comprehensive session addressing major policy initiatives from state legislative outcomes to local housing regulations. The meeting opened with positive ...

Methodology note

Real Record tracks the Port's General Fund. The "PORT OF BELLINGHAM — Current Expense" line on tax bills feeds this fund. Separate Port-related lines (RDA, IDD) feed other Port funds.