Resident urges commissioners to block Leavenworth County Port Authority taxing power and seek accountability

A Leavenworth County resident urged commissioners to oppose giving the Leavenworth County Port Authority taxing authority and asked the board to consider defunding or increasing oversight of the authority.

In public comment, Christine Workman said she had previously laughed at the idea of a port authority for an inland county but learned the organization receives roughly $85,000 a year from county taxpayers. She said she found the port authority—s website vague about how funds are used and critical of the agency—s characterization as a "quasi-governmental agency," saying that phrasing suggested less accountability.

Workman asked whether revenues from industrial-park sales or rents return to taxpayers, questioned an agency claim of playing a role in "nearly 1,000 jobs" and "more than $117,000,000 in property valuation or announced capital investment," and asked the commission to demand clearer accounting. She urged the board to "condemn the notion that it be allowed to tax the people of Leavenworth" and to "seriously consider defunding the port authority completely," adding that the port authority board members are not elected and that "taxation without representation doesn't bode well in this country." Workman said she attempted to complete a survey distributed by the authority but was prevented.

The commission asked Workman to put her questions in writing so staff could forward them to the port authority.

Ending: Commissioners asked the resident to submit written questions; staff said they would forward inquiries to the port authority and seek responses for the board.