Amendment to Ferry Rates Ordinance to Be Introduced

At the County Council meeting on Tuesday, June 5, the County Council is being asked to introduce an Ordinance amending  the Ferry Rates Ordinance: Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 10.34, Ferry Rates (AB2012-197) (hearing to be scheduled) By accepting the introduction of this ordinance, Council is agreeing to enter it into their process for scheduling [...]

“Queuing Alternatives Analysis” Before County Council 2/28

County Council will be asked to vote next Tuesday, 2/28,  on a $22,460 contract for a “Queuing Alternatives Analysis” at the Gooseberry Point dock area. The matter is on the Council’s Consent Agenda, which means the Council expects to agree unanimously to approve the expenditure.* Here is the exact wording on the Council’s agenda, along [...]

11-22-2012 County Council Agenda re: Ferry; Plus – Shift $700k Road Funds to General Fund?

Here’s a link to the latest (Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2012) County Council agenda for both the daytime subcommittee meetings and the full evening meeting.  In the agenda, you will find additional links to specific items, such as AB2011-238, the one relating to the “Lummi Nation Ferry Lease Fund.” 10:00 AM   Finance and Administrative Services Subcommittee [...]

Public Comments: Revenue-Enhancing Recommendations

Notes from public comments on June 20th recommendations, continued…  Please feel free to add other comments heard at either the June 20 or LICA June 22 meetings.  I had to leave for most of the June 20th discussion of fares, so have very few notes from that part of the meeting. Ideas for increasing ferry [...]

Taxing Districts and Generating More Revenue

After the May 2, 2011 Ferry Task Force meeting, Bill Lee submitted these thoughts and questions about ferry-related taxes and about fare increases and revenue-generation.  ********************************** What follows are some thoughts about two of the issues discussed at the Lummi Island Ferry Task Force meeting on 5/2/11. FERRY RELATED TAXES While this topic is scheduled to [...]

Surprises in Ferry Accounting?

Some islanders, other county citizens and even elected representatives have wondered over the years what’s been going on with the county’s accounting of ferry expenses and revenues in recent years. Why have ferry costs (especially administrative costs) risen so sharply, leading to such higher ferry fares?  Are Whatcom County’s ferry costs way too high compared [...]

An Accounting of Whatcom County’s Ferry Accounting

Tomorrow night (April 4, 2011), in Bellingham at the Garden Room (see News page for directions), 6-9 PM, the Ferry Task Force will present information about ‘all things accounting’ related to the ferry. This is a session to attend if you’ve ever asked yourself or heard others ask, “Why are docks now under operations rather [...]

Thoughts & Issues from the Task Force Meeting (2/7/2011)

Nancy Ging has brought up issues connected with the allocation of funds vs operating expenses that are crucial in evaluating the size and necessity of the recent ferry fare increases.   The impact of this increase, especially on commuters and families, is unsupportable, and finding a way to cover our share of expenses, while maintaining the [...]

Watch: County Council discusses a ferry taxing district

Many thanks to Latte Republic, who with the assistance of County Council staff, videotaped the County Council “Committee of the the Whole” discussion on January 11, 2011, about a possible ferry taxing district.  The discussion is published in segments Youtube. Here’s the link. Sounds like the only other county ferry taxing district (in King County) [...]

Lummi Island’s Assessed Tax Value: A Summary

Note:  Tip Johnson emailed the Whatcom County Assessor, Keith Wilnauer, requesting information on Lummi Island’s total assessed tax valuation.  The following is their communication, as well as the island’s tax valuation summary report: >>> Tip Johnson <tip@skookum.us> 1/10/2011 11:25 AM >>> Hi Keith, What is the aggregate valuation of taxable property on Lummi Island?  Consideration [...]