1) According to Public Works, the 2006-07 ferry budget is projected to have a one million dollar shortfall. The cost of “extended service” has been calculated at $304,682 by Public Works using a four-person crew. In a recent letter to the Ferry Committee, Norma Brummett, Skagit Co. Auditor, (responding to our question about viable, less expensive cash handling alternatives than hiring a fourth person), states that Public Works has told her that they now consider the fourth person “permanent”. This addition to the cost of labor has been calculated to be $190,000 per year within the current schedule. Continued escalation of ferry operational costs is not only being paid in higher fares by the Guemes Ferry ridership but is a burden to County taxpayers as well. The cost of extended service will neutralize the projected $300,000 revenue gain from the January, 2006 fare increase. Faced with escalating expenditures and a budget shortfall, businesses and governmental organizations typically reduce levels of services not increase them.

2) The Guemes Island Sub Area Plan, which has been authorized by a Resolution and signed by the BOCC is a work in progress. This sub-area planning process should be allowed to continue until its completion before making a decision on extended service in order to remain in compliance with the Growth Management Act. The potential impact of extended service also has to be examined for compliance with Skagit County’s Critical Areas Ordinance under which Guemes Island receives additional protection because it is Federally recognized and designated as a “Sole Source Aquifer”. Other existing policies in the Skagit Comp. Plan Transportation Element refer to the expansion of transportation into rural areas. For example, Policy 9A-6.1 “Skagit County supports expansion of public transportation service into the unincorporated areas only with public support.” We suggest a review of these and other pertinent planning policies prior to any extension of ferry service to Guemes Island.

3) The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has just begun a “Sustainability” study on Guemes. As you are aware, a team of scientists and other professionals from across the country has been commissioned to assist Guemes Island in improving sustainability practices. The study will address ferry issues as one of the components of sustainability. This study is scheduled for completion later this year. It would be premature to make changes in the ferry schedule prior to the results of this study being available as part of the decision-making process. Extending the schedule beyond 6PM, Monday through Thursday, will have far-reaching consequences related to the sustainability of the Island. You, as County Commissioners and all stakeholders in this issue need to have access to the information from this study before important decisions are made regarding changes in the ferry schedule.

4) The January, 2006 fare increases doubled the cost for most frequent users because the use of a fare recovery model was abandoned. Inclusion of capital expenditures with operational expenses resulted in revenue targets far in excess of any other transportation system in the State of Washington.