MOSES LAKE - Port of Moses Lake commissioners approved a $5,000 agreement to fund an internal human resources policy audit and fact finding investigation on Monday.

The agreement comes after port Finance/Administration Manager Michelle Bieda's husband, Rich Bieda, wrote commissioners and distributed a flyer in the community about an allegedly tense office environment at the port. 

Rich Bieda questioned the port's openness about federal air service funds, compliance with state bid laws and port manager Craig Baldwin's office demeanor. 

The Bellingham-based consulting company, LL Boon Consulting, was retained to conduct an audit of the port's human resources policies and programs, make recommendations and ensure its human resources practices continue to be legal and compliant, said port commissioner Mike Conley.

The company also conducts a fact-finding investigation and interviews to determine how interpersonal relations and professional performance at the port compliments or possibly obstructs the accomplishments of its mission and objectives.

The port's vision is "to be a strong leader for economic progress in the 21st Century by using our unique assets to substantially improve the quality of life for the citizens of the greater Moses Lake area."

The port's mission is to "develop aviation and aerospace capabilities to benefit the economic prosperity of the community, develop the industrial park in a coordinated manner to act as a powerful economic engine for the area, work with the Grant County Economic Development Council and other economic development entities to improve the overall economy of the region, make decisions that are environmentally friendly, socially responsible and promote the well-being for everyone and continuously communicate these actions through an organized community information program."