County raises marina slip fee to $850; commissioners discuss watermen preference and security upgrades

Queen Anne's County Commissioners on Jan. 14 approved a second-step increase in annual marina boat slip fees at county public landings, raising the rate from $800 to $850 effective May 1, 2025.

"I move to authorize the Department of Parks and Recreation Public Landings Division to increase the Marina Boat Slip fee to $850 per year on May 1, 2025," a motion on the agenda stated and commissioners approved it by voice vote.

Commission discussion focused on fairness for watermen and the condition and security of county marinas. Staff said Ken Ayers (primary marina) has 145 slips and that the county maintains an 80% preference threshold for commercial watermen at certain marinas. James (Parks staff) presented a comparative chart of regional slip rates showing the county remains lower than many neighboring jurisdictions. Commissioners asked whether the county can set a lower rate for licensed watermen; staff said legal constraints may limit differential pricing but noted the county obtained state permission to maintain a watermen preference list at Ken Ayers.

Commissioners also discussed improving security and camera quality at the marinas. "We actually have some funding for that already allocated. We put in 20 cameras," staff said, adding the county is coordinating upgrades with a countywide camera initiative to avoid redundant purchases.

Parks staff framed the slip program as an enterprise fund whose revenues support maintenance and improvements. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.