[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6274782,"mediaKeyId","2985727-b359be49ac9f25356f5171e2134b642a","parentId",2985727,"title","Marina Advisory Commission elects JJ Jones chair, Byron vice chair; approves minutes amending Hydros for Heroes rate to $2.50/ft","audioSeconds",287,"startMs",52000,"endMs",339000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985727-b359be49ac9f25356f5171e2134b642a&start=52&end=339","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985727-b359be49ac9f25356f5171e2134b642a/thumbnail_52000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6274782/Oak-Harbor/Island-County/Washington/Marina-Advisory-Commission-elects-JJ-Jones-chair-Byron-vice-chair-approves-minutes-amending-Hydros-for-Heroes-rate-to-250ft","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274782-bd9b445a3c8d5310ef958384da95bbd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195037&Signature=ESAA5qIQv0FMyukQ7oRHsOOc-uK1bBuMPtBl1Pog~B-1jn5Avu5o1tqL1pSsq-XQMyYPGz0Emp7-CuXtQrXxTcMUCXhj9~0A7DSo7WieqlNSDYWUmvNYCx4xyYJppMhRUuV5yR622CqEqIMsrorPobGXlSTWhkjqzIO-LR5q3-TVXinjA4YrZCVrGwvI~NGlHgO6bxiqJJwH7zAaEOgvwcVu1qlRdAhXdY8TAUGXpwWZdaOSFlZrjUwcCP-cZ7gHv86ZXTs0o2a-h~J68BgpyH7Vsgq2TQUbAq3waxS4zDbw8ke~Qe~XV6DX5udvMMMb9rtzAXNUxGlWNq5rcky3Fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oak Harbor City, WA","date","2025-04-15T00:01:57.113Z","article","The Marina Advisory Commission held organizational elections and approved amended minutes at the start of its meeting.

Commissioner JJ Jones was nominated and elected chair after a motion and second; Byron was nominated and elected vice chair. The commission then approved the March 10 meeting minutes as amended to include the commission’s recommendation that Hydros for Heroes be charged $2.50 per foot for slips.

Why it matters: the election fills commission leadership roles that preside over future agenda items and public outreach. The amended minutes document an explicit recommendation to staff to seek a $2.50-per-foot rate for the Hydros for Heroes program; the commission noted that it is only a recommendation and that the city does not unilaterally set rates without administrative and council processes.

Meeting housekeeping and public comment

- The commission paused to thank former member Ken Hewlett for his service; commissioners spoke in appreciation of his long involvement with marina projects.

- During public comment the group noted online submissions that staff said were included in the meeting packet. One speaker stated that for decades the marina has operated as an enterprise fund supported largely by marina tenants, not general taxpayers; commissioners discussed the need to clarify that distinction for the public.

Votes and formal actions

- Motion to elect JJ Jones as chair: moved (nomination), seconded, outcome: approved.

- Motion to elect Byron as vice chair: moved (nomination), seconded, outcome: approved.

- Motion to approve minutes as amended (add recommendation that Hydros for Heroes rate be $2.50 per foot): moved by a commissioner, seconded, outcome: approved.

Ending: With leadership in place, the commission moved on to substantive agenda items, including the B&O tax briefing and a staff presentation on enterprise fund reserves and marina capital priorities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4-14-25 City of Oak Harbor Marina Advisory Commission","oneSentenceSummary","At the meeting the commission completed organizational business, electing JJ Jones as chair and Byron as vice chair, and approved minutes amended to recommend that Hydros for Heroes be charged $2.50 per foot.","taxTitle","Oak Harbor, Island County, Washington","taxId",54122,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274786,"Oak Harbor commission weighs B&O tax options, dredging funding and facility reserve plan",2293,543000,2836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985727-b359be49ac9f25356f5171e2134b642a&start=543&end=2836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985727-b359be49ac9f25356f5171e2134b642a/thumbnail_543000.jpg","/articles/6274786/Oak-Harbor/Island-County/Washington/Oak-Harbor-commission-weighs-BO-tax-options-dredging-funding-and-facility-reserve-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274786-d3c4100817b66609c49d12a1da72fe2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195037&Signature=l1W-oP3OAlsu5VhjIkfbpbSfuRCEDf3VmmCIIyuZ-24DE1qv901CM9l~RhpbmE53su759cFsE0QPaRSKnfFATRPxAVqLhoLxA~xdsmIbHRq074KpdORSi59ZOq3xONlK7SgPra0WQzFaa3yJfmCfpKdguIcNPf~Yy4Zj4Lk9WAxfZ9jGzCBZjOasbvxIZAyMBTpRzBbEOIblRaQvOyfJ5xsJoRYnqlJB6cLMlC1ir3Rc72IHwUT1LmxSw3LZ3wH~XYAy8GcCnMxKedHHbk5oDMu6oDzxci5pw4CTq8mC6wWxe5RIgpWhtxWkbi5Bzj3tcDMlOeWT6VymhTEhf7rWdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Marina Advisory Commission meeting, David Goldman, Deputy City Administrator and Finance Director, briefed the commission on Business & Occupation (B&O) tax options under consideration by City Council and on how those revenues could be used to support marina capital needs, including dredging and breakwater work.

Goldman said the administration plans to return to council “at the May or early June for further consideration” with two exemption options for discussion: exempting the first $2,500,000 of a business’s gross receipts or exempting the first $5,000,000. He said either option would affect a small share of local businesses—roughly 25 to 60 firms depending on the exemption chosen—and that council could choose to commit revenue to marina uses or leave the revenue source unrestricted. “It looked like the city council narrowed down their focus to 2 options,” Goldman said.

Why it matters: dredging and breakwater repairs are recurring, high-cost needs for the marina. Commission members repeatedly said the city must identify a reliable revenue stream rather than rely on one-time measures. Goldman described the dredging program as ongoing, not a one-time expense, and said a combination of revenue sources—fees, enterprise reserves, and bonding—will likely be required.

Key funding and reserve details

- Goldman presented estimates and tradeoffs for using a new revenue stream as security for borrowing, repeating a prior calculation that about $800,000 per year in dedicated revenue could support roughly $11 million in borrowing, depending on interest rates and market conditions. “I calculated that, I remember when I did it for 800000. I think we could borrow like $11,000,000 at 800,000,” he said.

- The commission reviewed a newly established facility replacement reserve for marina assets. Goldman said the reserve schedule is driven by Public Works’ lifecycle estimates; the largest single line item is a parking-lot rehabilitation estimated at $1,100,000, which the schedule spreads over five years (roughly $200,000 a year). He described the reserve as the marina’s portion of a citywide facilities reserve program and said the intent is to build predictable funding for routine future replacements.

- Commissioners pressed staff about scope and priorities for the reserve. Several members argued that structural items tied directly to marina viability—electrical systems, pump-outs, the breakwater—should receive equal or higher priority than a parking lot. Staff said dredging and breakwater work are expected soon and will likely be financed through a bond or a mix of grants and debt; the facility reserve covers longer-term, scheduled replacements.

Operational and program details discussed

- Dredging: Commissioners and staff discussed tradeoffs between a full dredge and scaled options to reduce near-term cost. An engineering proposal from Moffett & Nichols suggesting selective reductions could reduce costs by millions but might shorten the useful life of the dredging work. Commissioners emphasized the risk of “saving now, paying more later.”

- Slip configuration and revenue mix: Staff described a long-standing plan to reconfigure some covered docks into side ties to attract larger, year-round vessels that provide steadier revenue; some commissioners cautioned that shifting toward larger slips could change public perception of the marina as an exclusive resource.

- Grants and other funding: Staff said the city is pursuing multiple threads—state and federal grants, potential EDA funding, the B&O-tax proposal, and both revenue and general-obligation bonds—and that the administration is coordinating permitting and updated engineering estimates to present to council.

- Other capital items: Commissioners asked staff to prioritize electrical upgrades, pump-out service in slips (a previously funded grant), and replacement of the marina boat; staff confirmed applications or grant efforts are in process for a new boat and for spill/hazmat equipment funding.

Commissioners and staff agreed to continue outreach and analysis before council decisions. Goldman and staff said the administration will refine cost estimates and return with a package for council consideration in May or early June.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to bring back clearer cost breakdowns, a public-facing explanation of proposed revenue commitments, and a timeline tying permitting, grant applications and bonding decisions to the engineering schedule for dredging and breakwater work.","City staff briefed the Marina Advisory Commission on two Business & Occupation (B&O) tax exemption options being considered for council, the long-running need to fund dredging and breakwater work, and a new facility replacement reserve that includes a large parking-lot line item.","actionData","errors"]

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Marina Advisory Commission elects JJ Jones chair, Byron vice chair; approves minutes amending Hydros for Heroes rate to $2.50/ft

Oak Harbor commission weighs B&O tax options, dredging funding and facility reserve plan