Seeking Applicants to Represent District 1 on Port Board of Commissioners
Port Commissioners Skip Novakovich and Raul Contreras Gonzalez will appoint a replacement to fill the District 1 position, which was vacated on September 1 by the retirement of Commissioner Ken Hohenberg.
The candidate appointed to the District 1 position will serve in that capacity until certification of the 2027 election (and may choose to run in that election).
On this webpage, you will find Port District boundary maps, the Application, a Consent to Background Review Form, additional information and important dates.
Candidate Requirements
State law requires all candidates be a registered voter who resides within Port of Kennewick’s District 1 (confirm with Benton County Auditor’s Office).
All candidates must:
- Submit a completed application, consent to background review form and a resume
Application materials are in the right column. If you are viewing this page on a mobile device, scroll down the page to find those buttons to the Application and Consent to Background Review form.
Two Opportunities to Apply as a Candidate
- First Invitation: Submit completed application package no later than September 18, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific
- Second Invitation: Submit completed application package no later than October 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific
The final deadline for all applications is October 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific.
Qualified candidates who submit a complete application package by September 18, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific will be announced during the Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting on September 22, 2026.
Additional qualified candidates who submit a complete application package by the October 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific deadline will be announced at the Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting on October 13, 2026.
Candidates should only submit one application package.
Important Dates
- September 18, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific
First invitation to submit completed application package closes. Qualified candidates who submit a complete application package by September 18, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific will be announced during the Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting on September 22, 2026.
- October 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific
Final cutoff date to submit an application package. Additional qualified candidates who submit a complete application package by this deadline will be announced at a Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting on October 13, 2026.
- November 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. Pacific – Special Public Meeting for Interviews
Finalists to be interviewed during this Board of Commissioners’ special public meeting (finalists selected for an interview will be announced at a Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting in October). - November 10, 2026, at 2 p.m. Pacific – Regular Public Meeting, New Commissioner Appointed
Commissioner appointed during this regular public meeting of the Board of Commissioners.
Application Materials
Submit a completed Application, Consent to Background Review and your resume no later than October 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific to be considered for the open Commissioner position:
Submit applications to the Clerk of the Board via email at clerk@portofkennewick.org.
If email is not possible, candidates may drop off completed applications on weekdays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Port of Kennewick administration office on Clover Island located at 350 Clover Island Drive, Suite 200, in Kennewick. (Ring doorbell if door is locked.)
Candidates should only submit one application package.
Additional Information
Commissioner Duties
Port of Kennewick is governed by a three-member Board of Port Commissioners elected by the public for a six-year term. The Board, in accordance with Washington state law, establishes policies under which the Port’s staff, supervised by the Chief Executive Officer, conducts its daily operations. These three elected officials are responsible for:
- Representing public interests
- Setting port policy
- Determining program direction
- Setting long- and short-range goals
- Approving the biennial budget and work plan; and
- Assisting with leadership development of the organization
Meetings & Committees
The Board meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. The meetings are held in the Commission Chambers located on the second level of the Port of Kennewick administrative offices located at 350 Clover Island Drive in Kennewick, Washington.
In addition, Commissioners are involved with various committees. The Commissioners represent the Port of Kennewick to the following organizations, with Commissioners determining the specific organizational representative bi-annually:
- Benton Franklin Council of Governments Board of Directors
- Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR)
- Historic Downtown Partnership Board
- Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Luncheons
- Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
- TRIDEC
- Board of Directors
- Executive Board (rotates annually)
- Visit Tri-Cities Board of Directors
- West Richland Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheons
- Washington Public Ports Association: (held during Spring & Winter Meetings):
- WPPA Board of Trustees
- WPPA Legislative Committee
- WPPA Marina Committee
- WPPA Marketing Committee
Travel Requirements
While not required, Port Commissioners have the opportunity to travel to and participate with industry organizations, committees, and meetings which provide guidance, insight, and training to port leadership on current issues and effective port management. Port of Kennewick pays for reasonable travel-related expenses, including lodging, mileage, meals, and meeting expenses for Commissioners attending a valid industry meeting.
Compensation
- The salary for the District 1 position as of 2026 is $37,511.00 annually; plus benefits
- The salary for the District 2 position as of 2026 is $37,511.00 annually; plus benefits
- The salary for the District 3 position as of 2026 is $37,511.00 annually; plus benefits
Benefits include medical for full family with the premium 100% paid by the port through the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB). PEBB-offered benefits do change periodically, but they currently include medical, dental, and group life insurance of $35,000 life/$5,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment. Additionally, the Port of Kennewick offers a $7,000.00 contribution annually to the HRA VEBA Medical Reimbursement Plan.
Financial Disclosure
According to public disclosure law, elected officials currently in office, elected officials who left office during the preceding calendar year, state appointed officials, officials appointed to fill a vacancy in an elective or state appointive office, and some professional staff are required to file financial disclosure reports. https://pdc.wa.gov/registration-reporting/personal-financial-affairs-disclosure/who-files-report
Port Commissioners are required to disclose financial interests and holdings, so the public has tangible proof that officials are acting in the public interest and not for their private gain. Also, the filing of financial disclosure forms gives officials an opportunity annually to review their holdings and be more sensitive to subjects that might pose an actual or perceived conflict of interest. https://www.pdc.wa.gov/registration-reporting
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
The Port Commission Rules of Policy and Procedures states, “…on an annual basis and in a public forum, each Commissioner shall acknowledge the obligation to disclose any conflicts of interest…” including any non-Port appointed committees/boards. This can be done either verbally during a Commission meeting or submitted by letter.
Legal Guidance for Candidates
Thank you for your interest in serving as a Port of Kennewick Commissioner.
As the campaigns move into full swing, we would like all Port Commission candidates to know that Washington State law (RCW 42.17A.555) prohibits using facilities of a public office to support or oppose a ballot measure or to support an election campaign for public office.
The prohibited “use of public facilities” is defined very broadly, so we wished to alert all candidates, to avoid any inadvertent use. Public agency employees are not allowed to make special arrangements for or to “stage” a photo or video of a Port employee in uniform to be used for campaign purposes.
It’s also prohibited to take campaign photos which depict Port equipment including but not limited to: badges; nametags; jackets; belts; vests; agency patches, logos, insignias, emblems; and radios.
Thanks again for your interest!
Port of Kennewick Legal Counsel
