This was originally posted to: Guemes Island Ferry Committee

Ferry Committee Proposal On Fare Increase

In mid-July the Ferry Division of Skagit Public Works published its 2015 Draft Fare Revenue Target Report. The Report recommends to the Board of County Commissioners a roughly 20-25% increase in Ferry fares.

On July 21 the Guemes Island Ferry Committee met with the Ferry Division and Public Works to discuss the proposal and the Report. Also discussed were competing interpretations of BOCC Resolution 20100050 which establishes the method for calculating the “fare target.”  The Ferry Committee provided to Public Works the following proposal:

The Guemes Island Ferry Committee understands that Ferry costs are increasing in both capital costs and operations/maintenance costs.  Addressing cost increases should involve (i) raising revenues within the Ferry system, and (ii) both controlling costs and obtaining funding from non-County sources, in part to reduce the demand on the Road fund.  Accordingly, the GIFC:

1.  Will support, with the provisos below, the recommended increase in the Fare Schedule for 2015 and 2016, as set out in the 2015 Draft Fare Target Report.  To the extent, if any, that the content of the Draft Fare Target Report is inconsistent with Resolution 20100050, the Fare Schedule for 2015 and 2016 will be treated as an exception to that Resolution and the Resolution will otherwise remain in place.  The provisos are as follows:

A.  The County develops a 10-year maintenance plan for the M/V Guemes with the active assistance of a qualified marine engineer or equivalent expert, and

B.  The County begins a vigorous program of seeking funding from non-County sources to pay for costs of the M/V Guemes itself, as well as other Ferry-related costs, and

C.  The GIFC is kept fully informed in a timely manner regarding proposals for, and development of, options including a Ferry District, Enterprise Fund, and the like.

2.  Will be happy to work with Public Works to craft a Resolution to this effect for presentation to the BOCC.