Public Records

There are many areas of Port management I will address if elected, but this example clearly shows that the Port’s current focus and priorities are misplaced.

At the end of 2022, the lawsuit between the Port of Benton and Tri-City Railroad concluded, and Tri-City Railroad no longer operated on the Port’s short rail line. Union Pacific and Burlington Northern then agreed to negotiate a per-car fee for each rail car transported on the Port’s rail line. These charges were intended to maintain and improve the tracks and crossings—something our community knows has been long overdue, as the infrastructure was in terrible disrepair. Port of Benton’s management has had 3 years to solidify an agreement for rail car charges.

In 2024, the Port budget projected $400,000 in income from these rail car charges. At the end of that year, not a single dollar had been collected. Despite this failure, the 2025 budget projected $660,000 in income from the same source. As of September 1st, 2025, no payments have been received from any railroad company using the Port’s rail line. Commissioner Keller has asked the Executive Director month after month about progress in collecting these charges, and each time the response has been the same: “the effort is ongoing.”

This is a failure of leadership and accountability. The Executive Director has an obligation to manage all aspects of the Port’s assets responsibly, and the community deserves better. Instead of prioritizing public infrastructure and opportunities that benefit all of us, the Port has spent the past six years squeezing small leaseholders while neglecting critical investments in shared resources like our rail system.

If elected, I will work to refocus the Port on fairness, accountability, and smart investments in infrastructure that strengthen our economy, support local businesses, and serve the entire community.