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Board warned ferry reserves could be strained as FIFA costs and fuel prices mount
Summary
Executive Director told the board FIFA‑related expenses are expected to be about $900,983 with federal/state/county contributions, and staff warned ferry fuel reserves could be exhausted if higher fuel prices persist; a public commenter raised concerns about the agency’s budget scale and suggested divesting fast ferries.
Kitsap Transit’s executive team told the board on June 2 that FIFA‑related event costs and rising fuel prices could pressure agency reserves and budgets.
Executive Director John Claussen estimated FIFA‑related costs at about $900,983 and said portions would be covered by other sources: staff cited $60,000 from the county for signage, $200,000 in federal funds and $315,000 in state funding, leaving roughly $330,000 the agency would cover from its own funds. Service Capital Development Director Stephanie Lilly read the specific funding numbers for county, federal and state contributions.
Claussen also presented a snapshot of fuel reserves: roughly $2,500,000 in reserves on the transit (bus) side and about $1,200,000 on the ferry side. The agency budgeted $4 per gallon for fuel but was paying about $5 per gallon at the time of the meeting; Claussen warned that if prices remain high the ferry reserves could be spent down this year and staff may later request limited use of transit funds to cover ferry overages because ferry revenues are more restricted by statute.
During public comment, Pete Brady of Bainbridge Island criticized the 2026 budget figures posted on Kitsap Transit’s website (he asserted $98,000,000 in expenses versus $9,600,000 in revenues for 2026) and urged the board to review service levels and consider divesting the fast ferries under the relevant RCW. Staff later read online submissions urging the board to act on board‑composition issues under RCW 36.57A.055.
Why it matters: rising event‑related costs and fuel prices have direct budgetary consequences. The board was alerted that the ferry side of the ledger has less reserve cushion and may require policy decisions or reallocation if trends continue.
What’s next: staff will monitor costs and may return to the board with budget adjustments or a request to allow limited cross‑use of transit reserves to support ferry operations, consistent with state law.
