On Wednesday of this week the Washington State Auditor’s Office briefed the Port on the results of a regularly scheduled accountability audit.
In the draft report, the auditors presented a finding challenging the one-time payment the Port made to exempt employees in December 2015. The Port Commission authorized this payment to address widespread negative reactions following a series of large-scale organizational changes, moving to a common performance review date and increasing the standard work week from 37.5 hours to 40 hours. We believe that the one-time payment achieved the intended effect of supporting employee retention and addressing employee concerns. We have conveyed to the State Auditor’s Office our belief that the Port has a strong legal basis for taking this action.
The audit is still in process. We respect the State Auditor’s Office’s process and accountability to the public, and are working collaboratively with them to expedite completion and public release of the audit with all of the facts and circumstances and the Port’s full response.
Yesterday the Port Commission accepted the resignation of our former CEO Ted Fick. The Port Commission had raised multiple personnel issues with Mr. Fick during his performance review. He was not placed on administrative leave as a result of the audit.
