PORT ANGELES — A proposed 70 percent increase in permanent moorage rates at Boat Haven was tabled Monday morning by Port of Port Angeles commissioners.
Port staff will work with the Boat Haven Advisory Committee to prioritize rehabilitation projects and explore potential funding sources for them.
Boat owners at Port Angeles Boat Haven told Port commissioners at their Feb. 28 meeting that a proposed 70 percent increase would force many of them to sell their boats.
Permanent rates under the proposal would have gone from $3.32 per foot per month to $5.65. The increase would to pay for an estimated $5 million of improvements at the marina, according to the proposal.
Port Executive Director Bob McChesney said Monday many people who testified were uncomfortable with market-based permanent moorage rates.
But those moorage rates would be a lot higher than proposed if they were based upon the marina market, he said.
Comparable marinas
McChesney said Port staff used a combination of financial requirements, comparable marinas and Port of Port Townsend rates to set the proposed rates.
The general consensus was replacement of equipment and facilities was needed, not just aggressive maintenance, he said.
Port Finance Director Bill James said the term “return on investment” refers to what the Port needs to collect to pay interest on the bonds it would issue to finance the improvement projects.
Port Commissioner Bill Hannan said the master plan includes developing the marina, but this was presented with a sense of urgency. The commissioners still haven’t prioritized projects or decided if this is prudent, he said.
The proposed bond issue to pay for it also would use as much as 70 percent of the Port’s bonding capacity, Hannan said.
