Sam Fletcher reports from the Oak Harbor City Council meeting of Tue., Jan. 21, 2025 for the Whidbey News-Times.
North Whidbey could be home to the newest port, a type of district that hasn’t been created in nearly four decades.
The Oak Harbor City Council unanimously decided to move forward with the decision on Tuesday.
Launching a port district, which brings state funding for economic growth, requires a petition with 10% of the voter population to appear on the ballot. After that, it needs 51% approval.
It will be a long process, but city staff think it may be an answer to some of the city’s pressing needs such as the declining marina.
They Said It
While Councilmember Jim Woessner said he supports the public to decide on a new tax, he had a bit of hesitation passing on control of the marina.
“Are we passing our baby for the good of the baby, or are we passing it off because we don’t want to deal with it anymore?” he asked.
Developing a port will be a long, difficult process that in the end will still be “a huge longshot,” said Councilmember Bryan Stucky.
Because of this, he supports the effort through grant funding but not if it were to come from the general fund, he said.
