2023 Ferry Fare Proposal

The Guemes Island Ferry 2023 Rate Study was conducted by consultant KPFF, to evaluate the current (2022) Guemes Island Ferry fare schedule and policies, and to provide recommendations for rate adjustments planned for 2023, as well as policies for setting future rate increases. This report documents the objectives of the study, the approach used to project fare increase requirements, and the assumptions that formed the basis for fare level evaluation and revenue projection

90 Pages Comments Related to this Fare Increase  

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Final Public Hearing: Thursday, June 8th, 2023 from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. 
1800 Continental Pl, Mount Vernon, WA 98273

https://bit.ly/SkagitBoCCMtg

The Guemes Island Ferry Rate Study Estimated Project Schedule

5/12/2023 Develop final report, model, and other deliverables Post report and other deliverables online for review.

6/8/2023 Review all public comment received to date Final public hearing with Commissioners 6/8; 3:30 p.m.

7/10/2023 Review public comment received through end of public hearing Draft/Present resolution for BCC

8/15/2023 Fare schedule implemented.

A work session with the Board of County Commissioners was held on April 17, 2023 to further discuss the ferry rate study proposal.
To view the powerpoint slides from this meeting, click here.

We as the Guemes Island Ferry Committee are here to help provide information, answer questions, support those who want to engage in the public process, and represent Guemes Islanders to the County. Unfortunately, with the compressed timeline that Skagit County has put forth, we will only have limited opportunities to provide help throughout the process so we will be doing this via email distribution to help people provide public comment. Moving forward as we get past the Work Session(s), we will send out updates as we get them and will try to answer questions that people have.

Provide Public Input!
The public input process for this project is our opportunity to tell Public Works and the Commissioners that this proposal is unacceptable. This is our opportunity to tell them how this affects our lives, our businesses, our budgets, and our ability to continue to be part of this community. Every comment letter they receive gets put into the public record as part of this decision making process, and Skagit County will hopefully review them and act on your feedback.  

Important!

• If you are able to, please send your comments on the Work Session held Monday, April 17th when Skagit County Commissioners reviewed a SECOND KPFF proposal and will be weighing those options, as well as reviewing public comments, Send comments to: ferrycomments@co.skagit.wa.us
  
  

  Here are the highlights:

  - They are still going to raise the rates to the same amount, but they will do it over the next 5 years. 

  - They have not addressed looking at operation and maintenance efficiencies that would reduce expenses

  - They have included a Youth-ride free component (under 18 yrs. of age walk ons). This is a WA state grant that funds this.  

  - They are not going to change the oversized vehicle increments back to 5 feet, they will stick with proposed 10 foot increments

• Slides of April 17th Work Session Presentation
  

• Watch Recorded Zoom Meeting of April 17th Work Session

• This Work Session was NOT a public comment period. Public input was NOT taken at this meeting. 

• Public Comment is helpful please use the following to state your concerns.

Here is what to expect next from the GIFC:
We intend to aid in the Public Comment Process and keep people informed.

These links include:

• For folks that would like help getting started, a “blank template” to begin your letter.

• For folks that would like talking points, a list of issues that are relevant to all, but could be more relevant to some than others.

We are working on putting together people’s letters with others for inspiration. If you have already sent in comments, please email your letter to guemesferry@gmail.com. If you are planning on sending your letter into the county, copy the above email address as well, and we will work to collect those letters here.

Guemes Ferry Fare Comments Folder

Ferry Fare Talking Points

Public Comment Template

All Ferry Fares Comment Listing

The GIFC Annual Meeting was held Saturday, February 18, 2pm, at the Community Hall. 

Topics discussed were: New Ferry Project, New Fare Proposal, Ferry Haul Out, Emergency Services: with Chief Cole, Ferry Committee Nominations (2 open positions).

Summary:

• Thanks to Chief Cole for a great presentation about Emergency Response on Guemes Island during normal times, and during the haul out!
• The community in attendence requested that the GIFC host a follow up meeting on Sunday March 5th, after the February 28th Ferry Fare Proposal meeting to help the community better understand the information provided by Skagit County Public Works.
• The terms of two board members, Sandy McKean and Allen Bush, expired at the Annual Meeting. Allen and Sandy were both nonminated, but Sandy decided he would not run. Becca Fong was also nominated and her candidate statement was read by Gabe Murphy in her absence. The committee solicited other nominations, but none were made by the community in attendence.
• According the the GIFC Charter, Allen and Becca will begin three year terms effective immediately.

The Guemes Island Ferry Committee is a group of Guemes Islanders, elected by Guemes Islanders, to represent the interests of the community by coordinating ferry related issues among the ferry users, Skagit County Public Works, and the Skagit County Board of Commissioners.

Current GIFC Members:

John Hopkins

Allen Bush

Andy Leech

Becca Fong

Gabe Murphy

If you have questions or concerns regarding the Guemes Ferry, please send us an email at guemesferry@gmail.com and we will do our best to answer your question or will help to point you in the right direction.

Click here to view the GIFC Charter

With the winter season upon us, ferry service variability can be common.

The GIFC highly recommends signing up for Email Alerts from Skagit County Public Works. Find the link below and sign up.

Guemes Island Ferry Email Updates

The Guemes Island Ferry Committee meets every second Thursday of the month, currently at the Guemes Island Library. Unless otherwise rescheduled, these meetings start at 7:00pm and are all open to the public. 

If you would like to join GIFC meetings via Zoom, please contact guemesmeeting@gmail.com. Send your full name and the email address to be used.

Skagit County is working with BERK Consulting and KPFF Consulting Engineers to study possible ferry system improvements that address issues identified by the ferry community in two previous online surveys. Once they understand what you are most interested in, they will look at the operational and cost implications of the preferred options.

BERK and KPFF’s work will result in two packages of system improvement options (both prioritizing two round-trips per hour).

Package 1: Service improvements that can be attained with minimal investment

Package 2: Additional service improvements that come at a higher cost

Public Input Opportunities:

- Guemes Ferry Operations and Service Analysis Study website https://publicinput.com/guemesferry

- Email comments open now: ferrycomments@co.skagit.wa.us

All Comments will close December 5, 2019 for final report production.

-Final report will include compiled comments and responses.

- Online surveys https://publicinput.com/guemesferry

Draft Packages and Service Objectives survey open: November 7 – December 5.