23 Sep Notice of Vacancy for District 1 Commissioner
NOTICE OF VACANCY FOR DISTRICT 1 COMMISSIONER
Date Posted: September 23, 2026
Location of Posting: Port of Kennewick website, Port of Kennewick administration office entrance door, Tri-City Herald ad and Mid-Columbia Library Union Branch
Length of Posting: 15 Calendar Days (September 23 – October 8, 2026)
Application Deadline: October 8, 2026 @ 4:30 p.m. Pacific via email to clerk@portofkennewick.org or delivered in person to the Port of Kennewick administration office on Clover Island.
Position: Port of Kennewick District 1 Commissioner
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a vacancy exists on the Port of Kennewick Board of Commissioners for the District 1 position. In accordance with RCW 42.12.080, the remaining members of the Port Commission shall appoint a successor to serve until a qualified individual is elected at the forthcoming general municipal election scheduled for November 2027. Individuals who submitted their applications by the deadline for the first invitation “call for candidates” (referred to as nominees pursuant to RCW 42.12.080) are listed below and were announced during the Commission’s public meeting held Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
First Invitation Nominee Names: Matt Boehnke, Barry Bush, Van Cummings, Nicholas Haberling, James Hempstead, Marie Mosley and Robert (Rob) Welch
Second Invitation Applicants
The second invitation for applicants/nominees is now open from September 23 to October 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific. Per state law, to be eligible a candidate must be a resident and registered voter of Port of Kennewick District 1 (confirm with Benton County Auditor’s Office).
Each applicant must complete an application package found on the Port of Kennewick website at portofkennewick.org/commission-candidates. 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.
All applications, resumes and background review consent documents must be submitted via email to the Clerk to the Board at clerk@portofkennewick.org or delivered in person to the Port of Kennewick administration office on Clover Island no later than October 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific.
Candidates should only submit one application package.
Dates & Events
- September 1, 2026: Effective date of Commissioner retiring from the Port Commission
- September 8, 2026: Port Commission Regular Meeting – Explain Appointment Process. Call for (First Invitation) Nominee/ Applicants (in lieu of Commissioner Nominees). Application packet announced at meeting and posted on website.
- September 18, 2026: Final day for the Call for (First Invitation) Nominee Applicants – All required application documents must be emailed to the Clerk to the Board at clerk@portofkennewick.org or delivered in person to the Port of Kennewick administration office on Clover Island by 4:30 p.m. Pacific to be considered for First Invitation for Commission nomination.
- September 22, 2026: Port Commission Regular Meeting – First Invitation Nominees/Applicants Announced
- September 23, 2026: Official Notice of Vacancy, Nominations, and Call for Additional Applicants to be issued and posted on the Port’s website, and two other public places for 15 days.
- September 23 – October 8, 2026 (minimum 15 days): Registered voters within Benton County may submit nominations. All required application documents must be emailed to the Clerk to the Board at clerk@portofkennewick.org or delivered in person to the Port of Kennewick administration office on Clover Island no later than October 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific. Candidates should only submit one application package.
- October 13, 2026: Port Commission Regular Meeting Announce all qualified nominees who submitted complete applications by the October 8 at 4:30 p.m. Pacific deadline
- October 27, 2026: Commission action to select finalists during Port Commission Regular Meeting.
- November 4, 2026: Interviews of finalists will be held at a SPECIAL public meeting. (May also be preceded and followed by Executive Session to evaluate nominee qualifications)
- November 10, 2026: Port Commission Regular Meeting – Appointment of Commissioner
- November 30, 2026: 90-day Deadline for appointment by the remaining two members of the Port Commission to fill the vacancy created by Commissioner retirement.
- 2027 General Election: Port Commission position will appear again on the ballot