PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA               Item No.      6a 
ACTION ITEM             Date of Meeting    March 12, 2013 

DATE:    March 6, 2013 
TO:      Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:   Mary Gin Kennedy, Director of Commission Services 
SUBJECT:  Second Reading and Final Passage of Resolution No. 3678: Setting the annual 
salary compensation of Seattle Port Commissioners at the same amount as paid to legislators in 
the State of Washington 
ACTION REQUESTED: 
Request Second Reading and Final Passage of Resolution No. 3678: A Resolution of the Port
Commission of the Port of Seattle setting the annual salary compensation of Seattle Port 
Commissioners at the same amount as paid to legislators in the State of Washington. 
SYNOPSIS: 
Port of Seattle Commissioners receive a salary of $500 per month, which is also the salary for 
any port district in Washington with gross operating revenues greater than $25 million. State law
provides that a port commission may set its own compensation, but Article XXX of the
Washington state constitution has been interpreted to mean that if officials fix their own salaries,
they cannot benefit from a salary increase until after they are re-elected. Commissioners may 
also waive any and all compensation, as provided by state statute. This resolution proposes to set
Port of Seattle Commissioners' salaries at $42,106, the same salary paid to members of
Washington legislature. 
Port Commissioners spend many hours working on behalf of the Port. The current salary is not
commensurate with the complexity of Port operations and the substantial commitment of time
and effort required to fulfill the duties of the office. It is a barrier for many average citizens to
seek election as Port Commissioners. This resolution is being proposed as a matter of good
governance and sound public policy. Increasing the salary for Commissioners may open the
door for a more diverse group of King County citizens to serve as Commissioners, and it
compensates Commissioners more appropriately based on the work they do for the Port. 
BACKGROUND: 
The Port, a complex and thriving organization of almost 1,800 employees, is comprised of three
operating divisions (Aviation, Seaport and Real Estate) managing assets worth more than $6
billion. Annual operating revenues reached $521.6 million in 2012 and are projected to be
higher in 2013. Moreover, the Port is a major economic development engine for King County
and all of Puget Sound. Its continuing viability is critical to the region's long-term prosperity,
job growth and environmental health.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
March 6, 2013 
Page 2 of 2 

Commissioners' responsibilities include representing the nearly 2 million citizens of King
County; establishing broad policies, overall direction and long-term objectives of the Port;
approving the annual budget; setting the annual tax levy; and selecting a Chief Executive Officer
and approving his annual goals and objectives. In carrying out their responsibilities,
Commissioners attend public Commission meetings each month; represent the Port at board
meetings of outside organizations, such as the Highline Forum, the Trade Development Alliance
and the Puget Sound Regional Council; testify in front of other legislative bodies; promote the
Century Agenda to other regional governments, industry and union leaders, educational
institutions and community organizations; meet with Port tenants, constituents and stakeholders;
and speak at or attend Port-related community events. 
This resolution is being proposed as a matter of good governance and sound public policy. Port
of Seattle Commissioners spend many hours working on behalf of the Port. The current salary is
not commensurate with the complexity of Port operations and the substantial commitment
required to fulfill the duties of the office. The salary serves as a barrier for many average 
citizens to seek election as Port Commissioners. Increasing the salary for Commissioners may
open the door for a more diverse group of King County citizens to seek office, and it
compensates Commissioners more appropriately based on the work they do for the Port. 
OTHER DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS REQUEST: 
February 26, 2013, letter to "fellow citizen" from Commissioner Tom Albro. 
Resolution No. 3678 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS: 
March 5, 2013, First reading of Resolution No. 3678 
February 26, 2013: Commissioner Albro announced at the February 26 Commission
meeting that he would propose a salary increase for Port of Seattle Commissioners on
March 5, 2013, and read the letter to "fellow citizen" into the record.