Finance

The Finance Department administers the City’s budgeting and auditing procedures and facilitates timely and accurate financial reporting to assist with decision making and compliance with City, State, and other applicable laws. Its purpose is to safeguard public assets and its staff aim to provide professional, knowledgeable, and courteous customer service.

Pay Your Utility Bill
All Utility accounts are billed at the end of each month for all services and payments are due by the 20th of the following month.

Utility Information
The City of Port Townsend takes pride in operating and maintaining its state of the art water and sewer treatment facilities and complex stormwater drainage system. The City bills customers for water, wastewater and storm drainage, though account services may vary based on property location and meter size.

Business Licensing
Any person, business or organization engaging in any business within city limits must obtain a Washington State business license and a City of Port Townsend endorsement (through Washington State Department of Revenue) prior to commencing business activities.  Certain activities or business types may also be required to obtain a specialty license directly from the City (For-Hire Vehicles, Establishments Serving Alcohol, Establishments with Vending or Amusement Machines, etc).

Business And Occupation Taxes
The City of Port Townsend has three Business & Occupation (B&O) tax filing categories, based on gross annual revenue (all revenues before deductions or expenditures):

• Quarterly Filer - Business grossing $100,000 or more annually
• Annual Filer - for businesses close to $100,000 annually
• Business License Only / Non-Filer - for businesses grossing under $100,000 annually

Financial Reports And Documents
The City of Port Townsend is audited annually by the Washington State Auditor’s Office. According the State Auditor’s Office, the audit’s purpose is to “assure users of governmental financial statements that those statements are fairly presented," and to provide users with “an independent basis for relying upon management’s assertions concerning the government’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.”

City Budget
The City of Port Townsend strives for long-term financial sustainability to enable essential services to be provided without disruption. The budget sets the level of spending for all City funds for the entire year. Each fund has corresponding revenue sources with restrictions on spending from both state law and City Council policy. The City’s annual budget process allows the public to weigh in on the City’s priorities through a series of public hearings and meetings, including the City Council’s decision to levy property tax increases.  Learn more about the budget process on the Engage PT Budget page and Engage PT Financial Sustainability page.  Read the City Manager's letter to the Community in the 2025 City Budget.

Fees and Charges
The City assesses certain fees and charges related to utilities and business licenses.

Surplus
The City of Port Townsend uses the online auction service offered by Public Surplus, to facilitate the auction of its surplus equipment. Public Surplus is a free service to the City and is used by government entities across the country to efficiently and fairly dispose of items of value that are no longer in use. These items may include vehicles, computer equipment, electronics, and many other items.