Here are serious concerns regarding the Ferry 2026 Fare Proposal.
These comments focus on four primary issues, followed by a formal request for a public meeting as required under Resolution R20230512.
1. Misclassification of Capital vs. Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Costs
Ferry 2026 Fare Proposal includes major vessel renewal and replacement expenses — including engine replacement and associated engineering costs, propeller shaft replacement, lower unit rebuilds, deck steel renewal, and complete engine wiring replacements — classified as maintenance rather than capital.
This misclassification distorts the true cost of operations, inflates the operating baseline used to calculate ferry fares, and underrepresents the County’s long-term capital reinvestment needs. Properly accounting for these items as capital repairs is consistent with governmental accounting standards (GASB) and would allow for a more accurate representation of ferry system costs in the Ferry 2026 Fare Proposal.
2. Cost Overruns and Lack of Reporting Transparency
Several recent repair and overhaul projects have exceeded initial cost estimates, with limited public disclosure of the causes or financial impacts. These overruns directly affect fare calculations, yet the supporting documentation and reconciliations have not been made available to the public.
We urge the County to publish detailed, itemized accounting of all ferry division expenditures and revenues — both operational and capital — prior to any fare adjustments.
3. Missed Opportunities for Additional Funding
It has come to our attention that required ferry census filings have not been consistently completed, potentially jeopardizing eligibility for state and federal reimbursement or grant funding. Missed filings and unpursued grant opportunities translate into higher local fares and reduced system sustainability.
The County should ensure that all required census and grant documentation is timely and transparent, and that the public has access to these filings.
4. Ferry Insurance Costs and Budget Justification
The community remains concerned about increased ferry insurance premiums without clear explanation or benchmarking against comparable ferry systems. As these costs are factored into the fare model, it is essential that the County provide justification for rate increases, coverage levels, and claims history.
5. Lack of Recognition and Engagement with the Ferry Committee
The Guemes Island Ferry Committee, recognized as the representative body for ferry users and island residents, has not been formally included in recent decision-making processes. This exclusion undermines both the intent of Resolution R20230512 and the spirit of transparent, collaborative governance.
6. Request for Required Public Meeting Under Resolution R20230512
Resolution R20230512 explicitly states that the County will hold “at least one (1) public meeting with Guemes Island property owners, representatives of Guemes Island citizen groups, and other stakeholders” prior to major decisions regarding ferry fares and operations.
To date, such a meeting — involving direct participation of County officials — has not occurred. We formally request that this meeting be scheduled promptly to allow for transparent discussion of fare methodology, cost reporting, and capital planning.
The Guemes Island community is eager to engage constructively and bring forward thoughtful, data-based recommendations to support sustainable ferry operations.
7. Conclusion and Requested Actions
We respectfully request that the County:
- Reevaluate and correctly classify ferry expenditures as capital or O&M consistent with accounting standards;
- Provide detailed, public reporting of expenditures, revenues, and fare model assumptions;
- Ensure completion and publication of all required ferry census and grant filings;
- Clarify and justify ferry insurance costs; and
- Schedule and publicly notice the required All-Island public meeting with County officials pursuant to Resolution R20230512.
These actions will strengthen public trust, ensure fiscal accuracy, and fulfill the County’s stated commitments to transparency and community collaboration.
Guemesferry.org 