Depoe Bay budget committee debates cutting $1.34 fuel surcharge, informally backs 50¢ compromise

The Depoe Bay budget committee spent the majority of its June 15 meeting debating whether to reduce the harbor’s $1.34-per-gallon fuel surcharge and how to offset any revenue shortfall. Chair Liz (S1) urged the committee to revisit the surcharge, saying the fee “that dollar 34 … it just doesn't make sense” given new transient room tax revenues and operational changes.

Kim (S2), staff responsible for the budget presentation, said the original $1.34 figure traces to a 2020 analysis and that recent increases in personnel and maintenance costs mean the harbor’s break-even point has changed: “Personnel is going on. Maintenance is going up,” she said, arguing that the purchase-price figures cited by members do not include staffing, inspections or upkeep. Committee members pressed Kim for an apples‑to‑apples comparison using last year’s sales to model outcomes under different surcharge and moorage-rate scenarios.

Council members proposed alternatives to preserve harbor finances if the surcharge is cut. One option discussed was a one‑time, temporary 10% increase in moorage (mortgage) fees; others suggested stepping down the surcharge incrementally (25¢ or 50¢). After extended discussion the committee signaled informal support for lowering the surcharge to 50¢ per gallon but emphasized that staff must present revised numbers and formal recommendations to the full council before any change became effective.