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MINUTES
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Ferry Advisory Committee
(FAC)
Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday May 14, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
Jefferson County Courthouse – Commissioners
Chambers, 1820 Jefferson Street, Port
Townsend, WA (HYBRID)
Members: Chair Tom Thiersch, Adam Levin, Nicole Gauthier, Steve King, and Diana Grunow
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Thiersch called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m. In attendance were Members: Gauthier and Grunow. Also in attendance was Jefferson County Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette and WSF Community and Legislative Liaison Tally Teal. Member King joined the meeting at 10:21 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Member Gauthier moved to approve the Special Meeting Minutes of
April 1, 2025 as presented. Member Grunow seconded the motion. The motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Chair Thiersch opened the floor for public comments, and one comment
was received.
UPDATE FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES STAFF
Transportation budget 2025-2027: WSF Community and Legislative Liaison Tally Teal provided
an update on the budget that the Legislature passed its conference budget on April 27, 2025, and the
governor has until May 20, 2025 to issue any line-item vetoes, after which the final budget will be set.
Key allocations in the budget include approximately $20 million for additional vessel crew to
enhance scheduling flexibility and reduce cancellations caused by last-minute crew absences. There
is nearly $12 million allocated to workforce development initiatives to support the recruitment and
training of qualified crew members. The budget also features a pilot program for Wi-Fi connectivity
on vessels and a $75,000 appropriation for the Evans School at UW to study and improve WSF's
customer engagement and feedback processes. Additionally, while a proposed suspension of the
Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) did not make it into the final budget, funding for a study on
customer engagement, with a report due in December 2026, did. Regarding fares, the budget
anticipates a 2.5% increase, lower than the initially expected 4%, along with a 50-cent capital vessel
surcharge.
Chair Thiersch noted that the FAC-T is recommending an increase in the peak fare surcharge from 25% to
30% on all routes except the San Juans, which already has a 35% surcharge due to high tourist volume. This
fare increase is not expected to take effect until October of this year, providing a significant revenue boost
starting next summer.
Bids for 160-car H-E ferries
Washington State Ferries (WSF) bids for new 160-car boats opened on Monday, with two bids received.
WSF aims to award and sign a contract by the end of June.
Additionally, WSF will be holding community meetings on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at noon and
Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom to provide updates and gather public feedback.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Transit connections: Member Gauthier reported that Jefferson Transit expanded its Kingston Express
service on May 5, 2025 by adding a third daily run between Port Townsend and the Kingston Ferry
Terminal. One notable recommendation being considered is increasing the frequency of the number 11 route
to every 20 minutes, potentially improving access to the Port Townsend ferry terminal at Haynes Place.
Road work affecting terminal traffic: Member King expressed great satisfaction that the City of Port
Townsend’s project on Water Street finished two weeks ahead of schedule, highlighting the positive
collaboration with the local ferry team, despite some traffic control challenges.
Tourism: Not discussed.
FAC Executive Committee and FAC-T meetings: Chair Thiersch stated that the Executive
Committee hasn't had significant recent developments, but will continue its monthly meetings. Fortunately, a
provision in the budget bill that could have suspended the Ferry Advisory Committees (FACs) for two years
was removed. However, the committee was unsuccessful in finding a legislator to sponsor their proposed bill
clarifying the roles of local FACs as committees of their respective counties, which is a matter of ongoing
debate.
The FAC-T has held three meetings and anticipates a smaller 2.5% fare increase than initially expected due
to legislative allocations, though typical fares are still projected to rise about 10% over the next two years.
This increase will apply equally to both walk-on passengers and vehicles. The proposed fare changes, will be
presented at public meetings later this month with the new fares typically taking effect on October 1, 2025
for the following two years.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Chair Thiersch opened the floor for public comments, and one comment
was received.
CLOSING REMARKS: Commissioner Dudley-Nollette announced the upcoming "Fund Our Ferries"
local elected officials update meeting will be held on June 13, 2025, which will cover various ferry-related
updates and discuss the next steps in their advocacy efforts.
ADJOURNMENT: Chair Thiersch adjourned the meeting at 10:49 a.m. until the next regular
meeting or special meeting as properly noticed.
Respectfully Submitted by:
___________________________________ ____________
Adiel McKnight/ FAC Clerk Date