The Port of Coupeville is going to have to dip into its reserve funds after three bids to replace the wharf’s fuel floats came in over estimate.

Commissioners for the port anticipated the project to cost around $90,000 and do have a $70,000 rural economic development grant for the project.

Commissioners approved a bid Monday from Marine Floats Corporation out of Tacoma for just under $128,000.

“Had we bid this last year, it’d been a $90,000 project,” said Kelly LaFave, from Marine Structures Engineering. “Everyone is just so busy.”

Commissioners reviewed the three bids, which ranged in estimates from $127,000 to $147,000.

Although, each bid was very similar.

The project proposal was very narrow in scope, said Commissioner Bill Larsen. “There was no wiggle room.

“There aren’t any viable alternatives. We have to move forward.”

The board voted unanimously to approve the bid and dip into reserves to cover the additional costs.

The project includes replacing and disposing of the wharf’s fuel floats.

“We do require proof of legal disposal so they don’t show up somewhere with our name on them,” LaFave said.

The new fuel floats have a different design that will address breakage issues.

Marine Floats has from after Sept. 15 to Nov. 15 to complete the project, which has a four-day window to complete once started, McDonald said.

“If they’re smart, they’ll take advantage of the better weather in the later part of September,” he said.

While the project is underway, there will be times when the wharf cannot serve fuel customers.