PORT TOWNSEND — The Port of Port Townsend commissioners approved a 3 percent increase of rates for 2020, as well as a change in rate for the Quilcene boat ramp.
The unanimous decision was made Tuesday afternoon during a special meeting to discuss the rate increase and October financials.
The rate increase encompasses all rates associated with the ports, including all moorage, yard rates and even the price of soap for laundry at the Point Hudson facilities, said interim executive director Jim Pivarnik at the Nov. 13 commission meeting.
In addition to the 3 percent increases, the commissioners made a change to the charge for the annual ramp pass for the Quilcene boat launch.
After a suggestion from moorage tenant Bertram Levy, the three commissioners amended the drafted rate increase and approved the annual pass to cost $80 from Jan. 1 to March 31, and then rise to $100 on April 1 for the remainder of the year.
The commissioners hope that offering the pass cheaper in the winter will encourage users to buy it early, before the peak seasons of spring and summer, as the sales for the annual pass has been decreasing, Bill Putney, commission chair said.
The new rates won’t be in place until the new year, but for an example of the new rates, permanent moorage rates for a 25-feet long vessel at the Boat Haven will cost $225.57 per month, replacing the $219 per month charge that is the current rate, according to commission documents.
“I believe we’re getting to a place that we’re catching up with things,” Putney said.
The new rates can be viewed at online at tinyurl.com/PDN-2020portrates.
The next meeting of the board of commissioners will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the Port Commission Building at 333 Benedict St.
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.
