HomeMy WebLinkAbout100812_ca03Commissioners Chambers
JEFFF:RSOV COUI\Tl'
AGEM1U.4 REQi:EST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Philip ~'torley, Counh' ;ldministr:UOr
FROM:
llA~I~E:
SCBJECT: .)Dint Letter of Support from Kitsap, Clallam, Jefferson and Mason for
Restoration of Ferry Funding in Proposed Budges; Washington State Ferries,
Joint Letter of Support from Kitsap. Clallam, ,lefferson and Mason for Restoration of Ferry Funding in
Proposed Budget; 1\'ashington State Ferries, ~\ssistant Secretary David Moseley
ANALYSIS:
i.aura Iv9clrose. Liaison liar Kitsap Count< Commissioner Charlotte Garrido has reyuestcd that Jefferson
Cottnty,join in signing a letter of support along with Kitsap, Clallam and Mason Counties.
Approve Joint i.euer ul Support from Kitsap, Clallam, Jefferson and Mason for Restoration of Perry Funding
in Proposed Budget; 1\ ashington State Fcrrics. assistant Secretan Day id Moseley.
REVIEN'Ell BY: ~7 / /
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October 3, 2012
2901
Dear David:
RE: Washington State Ferries Draft Budget and Service Cuts
~ of County Commissioners of Kitsap. Jefferson. Clallam and Mason Counties are
strongly request a restoration of ferry funding in your proposed budget. All levels of
ant are facing difficult budget times due to the national recession. Your proposed
id service cuts would have dramatic reductions that would irreversibly damage the
life and economic recovery for our counties' residents and severely impact the entire
and Region, It is critical that long range service levels are not held hostage on an
With the bulk of new jobs projected to be created ir. the East Puget Sound, it is clear that
reductions in service levels will dramatically force more commuters onto our region's highways.
The escalation in ferry fares over recent years has had an impact on reducing ridership.
Dramatic pullback in service levels will have an even stronger impact.
The funding gap faced by Washington State Ferries (WSF) is primarily the result of the decade
old roll back of Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (MVET) revenue that has not been addressed by the
legislature. Much of the transportation funding eroded by MVET has been addressed through
different revenue measures. While the State has blessed an over $4 billion tunnel to replace
the State Highway 99's Alaska Way Viaduct. the leadership to invest in a WSF system that
serves as the marine highways for the entire region has been ignored. In this legislative
session, the State will likely examine several bills that seek to create a regional taxing
mechanism for programs such as the Puget Sound Partnership. Yet, while Kitsap and other
Puget Sound Counties will be sought to support these endeavors, our regional transportation
network based on WSF will be eroded.
We cannot support State efforts to tax us for new programs, while basic needs of our
communities are ignored. A reexamination of State priorities is desperately needed.
Our counties look forward to working with WSF to adopt along-range funding plan that truly
meets the needs of the Puget Sound region.
Sincerely,
Robert Gelder Charlotte Garrido Josh Brown
Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner
Kitsap County Kitsap County Kitsap County
Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner
Mason County Mason County Mason County
Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner
Jefferson County Jefferson County Jefferson County
Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner
Clallam County Clallam County Clallam County