Anacortes police present vessel-registration interlocal for boating safety; council defers action

Police Chief Floyd told council an interlocal cooperative agreement with Skagit County would make the city eligible to receive a share of county vessel-registration surcharge funds to support a boating-safety program. Chief Floyd said the city also received a state parks grant this year (about $14,000 plus a one-time $10,000 bonus) and that the county share would likely be about $15,000 more, for a total of roughly $30,000 dedicated to boating safety in the next year. "Those funds are restricted only to be used in the furtherance of boating safety programs," Chief Floyd said.

Councilmembers expressed concern about adding water patrol activity while community discussions are underway about land-based patrols and current staffing pressures. Councilmember Walters said the funds "don't really strike me as a lot of additional money," but he said he was uncertain the city should expand maritime enforcement while land patrol staffing remains a priority. Council requested a clearer plan showing how the boating program would meet the WAC requirements used by the state to allocate vessel-registration funds and how patrol hours would be scheduled during peak recreational periods.

No motion was made to approve the interlocal at the meeting; staff said they will return with a more detailed plan that compares the city’s projected patrol schedule and hours to the statutory or administrative requirements that accompany the funding.