HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2024-014Whatcom County
Agenda Bill Report
File Number: AB2024-209
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
File ID: AB2024-209 Version: 1 Status: Approved
File Created: 03/08/2024 Entered by: CHalka@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Council Office File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council Committee of the Whole Final Action: 03/19/2024
Agenda Date: 03/19/2024 Enactment #: RES 2024-014
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: chalkapco.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution supporting a Whatcom County ferry rate increase and allocation of American Rescue Plan
Funds
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
Resolution supporting a Whatcom County ferry rate increase and allocation of American Rescue Plan
Funds
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
03/19/2024 Council Committee of the Whole' NOT ACTED UPON
03/19/2024 Council APPROVED
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
NaY .0. .
Attachments: Proposed Resolution
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 312012024
PROPOSED BY: GALLOWAY
INTRODUCED: MARCH 19, 2024
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-014
SUPPORTING A WHATCOM COUNTY FERRY FARE INCREASE
AND ALLOCATION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS
WHEREAS, Whatcom County Code 10.34.030 requires fare revenue to cover 55% of
adjusted total operating expenses associated with the Whatcom County Ferry; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County ferry ridership has declined over time resulting in
reduced fare revenue collection that will create a future fare box deficit; and
WHEREAS, ridership further suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, aging ferry infrastructure and overall inflation has resulted in increased
operational expenses; and
WHEREAS, since 2022, annual fare revenue has not kept pace with annual
expenditures resulting in prior year's fare box surpluses covering the difference over the last
couple years; and
WHEREAS, the 2023 fare shortfall of $740,000 brought the fund balance down to
$272,000, and with a forecasted shortfall of $706,000 in 2024, would result in a year-end
fare box deficit of $434,000; and
WHEREAS, the last fare increase for operation costs was implemented in 2010 as a
$3 surcharge; and
WHEREAS, these projected budget shortfalls are not sustainable and swift action
must be taken; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County must urgently consider a multi -pronged approach to
resolving these challenges, including but not limited to, allocating American Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA) funds and a series of fare increases; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 2022-090 provides the County Executive with authority to add
new fees or adjust fees set by the Unified Fee Schedule by way of Executive Order; and
WHEREAS, after consideration of this resolution, amendments to the Whatcom
County Code may be made to alter the implementation timeline for a ferry rate increase.
Page 1
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council request the
Executive, in consultation with the Public Works Department and the Whatcom County Ferry
Advisory Committee, to use his executive authority to increase the Whatcom County ferry
fares; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the implementation timeline for this Executive
Order fare increase follow WCC 10.34 as it currently reads and as it may be amended; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council supports
appropriating $358,000 of ARPA funds to the Ferry Fund; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council requests that the
Executive issue an update to the Whatcom County Unified Fee Schedule that would institute a
smaller and more predictable annual fare increase to ensure the long-term sustainability of
the Ferry Fund over time.
APPROVED this 19thday of March , 2024
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Diana ro r hYis, Q'e of the Council
APPP,OVEb
Rovice l3uckinah°8m/bv email 3/11/2024/ch
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
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