This is only an advisory issue to help the ferry committee understand the desires of the electorate. There is no expectation that the county will take any action as a result of the voting. The organizations Friends of Guemes Island and the Skagit County Citizens for Professional Transportation Management (SCCfPTM) were requested to write position papers against and in support of the proposal. SCCfPTM declined to write a position paper, however, Jim O’Neil graciously accepted this role. The position papers and rebuttals are attached below and will also be included in the mail out ballot material.

Should ferry service, Monday through Thursday,
be extended from 6PM to 10PM?

Jim O'Neil

For Extension of Ferry Hours

Friends of Guemes Island

Against Extension of Ferry Hours

The present Guemes Ferry (with a similar weekday schedule) was put in service in the late 1970’s. Since that time, recreational activities all over western Washington have expanded at an increasing rate. Guemes Island is no exception to this growth with large increases in the base population, and in summer visitors. At this same time, the availability of evening activities and work opportunities in the Anacortes/Burlington/ Mt. Vernon area has increased even more rapidly. The present schedule does not provide for residents to take part in evening church, school, and/or community activities that occur off Island.

Some find it easy to believe that the present 25 year old schedule will restrain growth. From observation, it hasn’t been very effective in the past, and with the continued growth of the surrounding population base, I do not expect it to be an effective (or proper) tool in the future.
Skagit County has provided a large capital investment for the Ferry System in the last few years. The new fare structure that has just been put in operation has caused reactions that hide the fact that without some basic extension of the schedule, the ferry will not meet the growing traffic needs. Neither the past year with long periods with passenger launch service, nor this year with the large change in fares for most Islanders, can provide a base to compare realistic operations. During most of 2003 and 2004 there were extended lines that filled ferries from 7 am until the third 11 am run and again in the evening hours with an almost automatic second and sometimes third 6 pm run. As the ferry operations returns to more normal duty, and the higher fares are digested, these conditions will return—with the added population base to exert even more demands on the system. Added runs will provide more spaces per day and be helpful in spreading this demand.

An early study done by Skagit County (Berk & Associates-2002) indicated that some 47% of those that participated would like additional evening ferry service during the weekday period. The evening schedule during the week has been proposed and should be granted an adequate test.

Jim O’Neil
Candidate for Ferry Committee 2002 and 2004

Advisory Ballot Position Paper -- 1/25/06
How tantalizing to imagine the added convenience of later ferry runs, how much more difficult to weigh the costs, to the quality of life on Guemes and our pocketbooks.

Extending the weekday ferry hours will have a profound effect on the character of Guemes and its limited water resources. Ferry runs to 10 o’clock will allow Guemes to become a bedroom community, changing the rural character of island life. Imagine suburban housing density and the accompanying issues of suburban life on Guemes as ferry access no longer limits the daily commute to work. Imagine the strain this development would place on our aquifer. New wells would more rapidly drain existing water resources, increasing the risk of saltwater intrusion.

The proposed ferry schedule expansion also has real financial costs, and Guemes Islanders will likely be the ones who will pay for the development of their island.
For over two decades Skagit County ran the ferry at close to a break-even budget, averaging less than $300,000 in annual shortfall. Losses have ballooned up to over $1 million annually through questionable management practices, a lack of capital project planning, and increased crew size. Projects have run over budget. The most recent two-month haul-out, planned to last one month and cost $800,000, cost nearly $1.3 million. Total ferry losses in 2005 approached $2 million

Skagit County’s response to increased ferry costs was to more than double the frequent user fares. We can expect them to look to the fares again to make up other losses.

Public Works own cost estimate for added evening hours is $300,000 more per year, but this only includes crew costs for the added time. Not included are estimates of added ferry wear and tear. Nor has the County figured that the ferry will be tallying more engine time during the day as the island commuter population swells. How does the County get even another $300,000 in revenue? Ferry fares would have to be doubled again, and the County would still be short.

Is suburban “convenience” worth another surcharge to our fares and the loss of our rural island character?

Friends of Guemes Island
Gary Davis, President
Robert Easton, Treasurer
David Wertheimer, Secretary

The character of Guemes has changed drastically in the past 30 years. The ferry operation—little changed in this period—has not been a factor. Future growth is limited by our rural (R10) designation not by ferry operations.
Poor ferry management can not be excused, but it is no reason have poor service. Past estimates of the added costs of late ferries have been “almost nothing” from a previous County Public Works Director, to a 2005 analysis that showed that total crew and operating costs would be about $100,000. The County estimate has no basis that is understandable. A fifteen- percent increase in operating hours should not result in a fifty- percent increase in costs.

A trial operation long enough to allow people to plan to take evening programs, or volunteer for activities off Island is necessary to determine if service is viable and supportable. Let’s give it a try…

Jim O’Neil,
Candidate for Ferry Committee 2002 and 2004

Do islanders support expansion of operations that will escalate the urbanization of Guemes, increasing traffic, construction and taxing our aquifer? What about the impact on our 6th Street Anacortes neighbors? Will late hours increase the risk of crime and vandalism for an island without police? Are islanders willing to dig deeper in their pockets to pay for extended hours? The costs will be substantial and the county is clear that riders will pay most of these costs. The Berk survey of 2002 was unscientific; anyone could respond as often as they liked. Ferry Committee elections results over the past several years suggest a strong island consensus to maintain current ferry hours; this ballot will be the first careful survey of island voters. Finally, given the labor and union issues involved, does anyone really believe the County would be able to undertake extended hours for only a “test” period?

Friends of Guemes Island
Gary Davis, President
Robert Easton, Treasurer
David Wertheimer, Secretary