Port CEO Yoshitani Reaffirms Commitment to Improve Port Operations

Port did not waste $97 million of taxpayer dollars

Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani sent a letter to the community today, reiterating his commitment to use the results of a recent performance audit to improve Port operations. "Given recent headlines, I'm sure many are wondering what's going on at the Port," he said. "It's a fair question - one I want to address as the Chief Executive Officer. I want to share my plan to 'right the ship' with the citizens of King County."

Yoshitani stressed that the Port of Seattle did not waste $97 million of taxpayer dollars, as alleged in the audit report. His letter provides further explanation of the contracts in question and the business practices used in awarding them.

In addition, Yoshitani discusses:

Timelines for implementing changes to the Port's procurement system and Commission delegation

Independent fraud audit to be conducted at the Port, and the recently established "fraud hotline" (The number is now active at 877-571-5237.)

Port staff members' cooperation with audit efforts

"The Commission has given me clear direction to use the information in the report to improve how we operate," said Yoshitani. "This is about more than changing Port procedures and discipline; it's about changing our culture. We'll get it done and we'll be a better Port for it."

The full text of Yoshitani's letter can be seen at http://www.portseattle.org/about/organization/ceomessage.shtml. The Port will hold a public hearing on the results of the performance audit at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 8, 2008. The hearing will be held at the Port of Seattle headquarters, 2711 Alaskan Way.