Dear Commissioners Wesen, Browning, and Burns,

We’re writing with renewed optimism following your comments about your interest in reestablishing a collaborative relationship with the Guemes Island Ferry Committee (GIFC) at the September 20th public session. Please let us know when we can start this conversation. With the upcoming work session on October 20th, let us know how we can be of service. 

We’re at a critical juncture and collaboration is the best path forward.  We share common goals to ensuring safe, reliable, and fiscally responsible ferry service, especially in these financially challenging times for Skagit County and all Skagitonians. 

Re-Establishing a Bridge to the Guemes Community

The Guemes Island Ferry is an essential lifeline. Connecting effectively with the community on complex operational and financial issues can be challenging, but the GIFC is uniquely structured to help bridge that gap. 

In working with the Committee, the County can ensure that island residents receive clear, accurate information while giving Commissioners early visibility into community perspectives, questions, and practical feedback.

Additionally, we can help harness the knowledge and energy of the engaged Guemes community. It is a wealth of knowledge and energy that would be beneficial in finding informed and innovative solutions. As you ave experienced from the public comments and engagement from the Guemes Community.

Partnering on Collaborative Solutions to Rising Costs

We recognize that operating and maintaining a vessel and terminal infrastructure involves significant, escalating expenses, and that balancing the County budget requires strategic fiscal management. The GIFC is eager to partner with Public Works and the Board to explore constructive, data-driven solutions to these rising operational costs:

• Analyzing Expense Drivers & Actuals: Working together to examine actual expenditures alongside projected budgets to better understand cost growth, develop budgets and projections consistently, and identify potential efficiencies.
• Evaluating Fare Elasticity & Ridership: Looking closely at recent ridership data to understand how fare adjustments impact rider behavior (such as shifts from drive-on to walk-on) so future fare-setting optimizes both revenue and community access. With ridership decreasing in the higher fare categories, it is necessary to find a balance in ridership to achieve revenue targets. 
• Exploring Sustainable Revenue & Cost-Reduction: Collaborating on practical measures—such as evaluating multi-ride structures, operational efficiency improvements, and cost benefit analyses of electronic ticketing—that support sustainable financial health.

Optimism for Future Collaboration

We left recent discussions feeling optimistic about what we can accomplish together when we engage in open, respectful dialogue. Rather than viewing ferry public engagement as a series of formal hearings on finished proposals, we see a genuine opportunity to establish a durable working relationship where County staff, Commissioners, and island representatives tackle recurring issues together.

Thank you for your dedication to Skagit County and for considering how a renewed partnership with the GIFC can serve both the County administration and the community. We welcome the opportunity to meet with you and Public Works staff to discuss how we can best support these efforts moving forward.

Respectfully submitted,
Guemes Island Ferry Committee