Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Skagit commissioners approve 2025 ferry fare schedule; Guemes Island residents urge reconsideration
Summary
As part of a consent agenda, the Skagit County commissioners approved a resolution to set the 2025 ferry fare schedule for Guemes Island and a temporary passenger-only service; residents testified the increases, in some cases doubling fares, will be unaffordable.
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners voted to approve its consent agenda on Jan. 27, including a resolution establishing the 2025 ferry fare schedule for Guemes Island and a temporary passenger-only ferry service, after residents from the island urged the board to reconsider the scale and timing of fare increases.
Public commenters said the proposed increases would be unaffordable for many island residents and raised specific concerns about charges for propane deliveries and the pace of fare increases enacted since a 2023 methodology change.
During the commissioners’ consent discussion, Commissioner Wason described the ferry fare resolution as an attempt to “catch up” on operating costs after fares were not raised during the COVID years. Commissioner Browning also supported the resolution but acknowledged the need…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
