Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Depoe Bay public hearing draws sharp opposition to proposed harbor user fee
Summary
Hundreds of residents, charter operators and small-business owners warned the Depoe Bay City Council that a proposed per-passenger harbor user fee would act like an unlawful tax, penalize charters that use private docks and risk hurting tourism-dependent businesses; councilors said the draft will be revised and returned for further review.
A packed public hearing at Depoe Bay’s Oct. 7 City Council meeting drew sustained opposition from charter operators, harbor businesses and long‑time residents to a proposed harbor user fee ordinance, Ordinance No. 358-25.
"The harbor user fee is an unlawful tax," said Molly Agan, a Depoe Bay resident and owner at Trademan Charters, at the podium during public comment. She told the council the draft ordinance would charge passengers embarking from private docks and effectively shift general harbor costs onto private businesses and visitors.
Speakers raised two legal concerns repeatedly: that a per‑passenger charge detached from a directly…
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
