San Juan County officials said the concession for a county ferry landing will transfer July 1 under contract language that permits the current operator to designate a successor, but county staff and members said they have not been given formal notice of the successor and that the existing contract has shortcomings.

Board members said the current contract for the concession runs through 2028 but includes a provision allowing the operator to terminate with 30 days’ notice. That clause, meeting participants said, weakens long-term stability and is a “flaw” in the contract that limits the county’s leverage if service is disrupted.

One committee member said the contract allows Ron and Mary, the incumbent operators, to name a successor: “Per the contract, they are allowed to designate a successor to the contract. Right. There is no public process for that, nor is there any obligation for anybody to provide us with any information.” County members said they and the public have sought clarity about who will run the concession, and so far “emails have been sent,” doors knocked on and questions raised with no public answer.

Members and staff discussed the option of the port districts collectively taking over operations in order to create a unified, publicly accountable operator and to renegotiate contract terms before a long-term term extends to 2028. One speaker said the port could use the 2028 contract end date to gather information and seek legislative changes if needed. The meeting record shows no formal decision to pursue port takeover; it records ongoing discussion and concerns.

Officials also noted that the contract’s 30-day exit option had previously prompted attempts by the incumbent operators to leave earlier than planned. The concession transition and the lack of public clarity prompted calls among members for more direct information from the state and the contracting parties ahead of July 1.