The Port tax levy accounts for approximately three percent of the total annual taxes collected by Cowlitz County.

The 2010 Port tax levy is currently 39 cents per $1,000 of assessed value of taxable property. The average Port District taxpayer pays $58.50 in taxes to the Port for a home valued at $150,000.

Tax levy funds are used for capital facilities improvements, equipment purchases and repayment of general obligation bond debt. These improvements are designed to increase tonnage, ship calls and economic activity in the Port District for the benefit of the community.

In 1911 the Legislature authorized citizens to form port districts and implement an annual tax levy of $2 per $1,000 of assessed value of taxable property within the district. Since 1911 the Legislature has reduced the annual property tax authorization for port districts to 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed value of taxable property within the district.