Depoe Bay council adopts Harbor Commission plan for crab-pot storage fees amid budget debate

Depoe Bay — The Depoe Bay City Council voted April 1 to adopt the Harbor Commission’s recommendation for annual crab-pot storage fees: $90 for Class A and B vessels and $240 for Class C vessels.

Councilors approved the Harbor Commission proposal after extended public comment and debate about the harbor fund’s shortfall and how to distribute costs. The motion, as presented, implements the commission’s square-footage–based approach to storage fees; councilors recorded five votes in favor and one opposed.

Council and public discussion focused on two disputed budget figures cited during the meeting: an $85,000 deficit noted as from fiscal year 2023–24, and a separate $53,000 shortfall described as the current standing deficit excluding capital projects. City staff said those figures were taken from the harbor’s revenue and expense reports and from the FY 2024–25 accounting of actuals versus budget.

Harbor users and charter-boat operators testified that higher storage fees would single out the charter fleet and could be unfair or harmful to small operators. One commenter said charter operators already face high operating costs and credit pressures. Speakers proposed broader revenue options — including a harbor usage fee, tourism-related taxes or parity with fees charged at other Oregon ports — as alternatives to relying primarily on crab-pot storage fees.

City staff and Harbor Commission members said the recommended fees alone would not close the harbor’s shortfall, and that the commission’s proposal was intended as a modest, immediate step that could be reviewed after one year. Several speakers asked that the council direct staff to present a fuller breakdown of harbor payroll and operating expenses so any fee-setting would rest on clearer numbers.

The record showed confusion earlier in the drafting process: a draft circulated that referred to a much larger proposed charge (a $1,000 figure was mentioned in public remarks), but commission and staff representatives said that amount was not part of the Harbor Commission’s recommendation under consideration.

The council discussion included comparisons to outdoor storage rates in nearby ports; a Harbor Commission representative said Newport’s minimum outdoor storage charge cited in the meeting was $384 per year. Councilors and speakers asked staff to bring a more detailed harbor budget and a list of fee options to a future work session where the council could consider mortgage fees, licensing and other harbor revenue tools together.

Votes at the meeting were recorded by roll call: Councilor Watson — yes; Councilor Wright — no; Councilor Sovereign — yes; Councilor Short — yes; Councilor Owen — yes; Councilor Deese — yes. The motion outcome was recorded as approved.

Council members and commissioners said they expect to monitor the effect of the new storage fee structure for at least a year and to revisit broader harbor financing options in upcoming budget and work-session discussions.