Knowing The Waters

Delegation of Authority: Striking the Right Balance Between Governance and Management This month’s column revisits a reoccurring conversation regarding a port commission’s delegation of authority resolution. Several newly elected commissioners

By Tim Schermetzler of CSD Attorneys at Law P.S. January is the month to put resolutions into action and boost any neglected goals from the previous year to the top

By Tim Schermetzler of CSD Attorneys at Law P.S. DECEMBER – THE SEASON OF PROCUREMENT The National Retail Federation forecasted that over one trillion dollars will be spent holiday shopping

By Tim Schermetzler of CSD Attorneys at Law P.S. NEWLY ELECTED COMMISSIONERS Earlier this month ports around the state elected new commissioners. Congratulations to all newly elected commissioners. The election

By Tim Schermetzler of CSD Attorneys at Law P.S. Chatbot Logs & Record Requests With the emergence of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and their use becoming a mainstream tool

By Tim Schermetzler of CSD Attorneys at Law P.S. Can Port Districts Charge Different Rates toCustomers Outside Their Taxing Jurisdiction? A question was recently posed by the WPPA Marina Committee.

By Tim Schermetzler of CSD Attorneys at Law P.S. Washington Voting Rights Act and Knowing the Waters Live: Commissioner Conference Edition Question #1 At the end of July, I attended

By Tim Schermetzler of CSD Attorneys at Law P.S. ELECTION SEASON REMINDERS It’s an election year, which means election law is front and center. In this month’s column, I willdiscuss

By Tim Schermetzler of CSD Attorneys at Law P.S. Summertime at the port means increased use of port facilities—port marinas, piers, and boat launches will be filled with recreational boaters,

By Tim Schermetzler of CSD Attorneys at Law P.S. In April, the Washington Court of Appeals issued a decision in West v. Walla Walla City Council 1, a case involving

By Tim Schermetzler of CSD Attorneys at Law P.S. In this month’s column, I cautiously dip my legal toe into the implications around recent federal funding actions.  I say “cautiously”

This past January I had the pleasure of attending WPPA 2025 Port Day in Olympia and observing WPPA Staff and members engage their state legislative delegations and other elected officials