Sound Off: Taxpayers shouldn’t be on hook for ‘marina problem’

Initially it is important to understand that I am a diehard advocate of the Oak Harbor Marina, spending over $500 a year for marina boat storage and hoist facilities. It is more important to realize that the marina has been managed by City Hall into a bankrupt condition for years without even mentioning to Oak Harbor taxpayers that there was a serious problem.

Now, the City Council has adopted a marina development plan which states over $20 million is needed now to replace equipment and expand operations. The $20 million plan does not provide for ANY future capital reserves being accumulated, ANY reserves for cost growth nor ANY marina revenue being provided for Oak Harbor taxpayers. Perhaps the worst plan shortfall is that it does not address any alternatives which could be considered to resolve the marina problem. Approximately half the $20 million is “expected” to come from the Oak Harbor taxpayers. Does THAT interest you?

The adopted plan also has some questions / features not discussed during City Council public hearings, for example:

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A. Marina gross annual revenue estimates ($5 million) were based upon comments from marina residents and transient boaters. The Oak Harbor residents would receive less than $50,000 of this as a sales tax share, less than half that provided by the RV park. Why was a biased group used?

B. Are Oak Harbor taxpayers’ liable, both financially and legally (damage / injury) for marina funding and operations?

C. How many Oak Harbor resident taxpayers use marina services providing marina revenue (less than 100 probably)?

D. Why will electrical and fire systems planned still not meet existing code certification?

E. Who has responsibility (funding) for control management and code certification?

F. What is the accuracy of the cost estimates contained in the plan?

G. How has future growth planning considered increasing fuel costs and their impact on boating?

It is now obvious that city management of the marina as a financial asset to Oak Harbor taxpayer residents is a failure! The great majority of city residents should not have to pay taxes for the boating enjoyment of the few. The marina revenue from services provided should be ample to continue operations, since the previous bond debt is now satisfied. Improvements should be incremented at perhaps greater costs, but be BASED ON MARINA SERVICES REVENUE, NOT COSTS PAID FOR BY Oak Harbor taxpayers!

Hopefully, an incremental approach to marina improvements and a viable privatization agreement will produce a future marina operating as a public ASSET rather than an Oak Harbor taxpayer LIABILITY.

You non-boater Oak Harbor taxpayers better watch out and comment on this marina funding PROBLEM!

Jerry Jones is an Oak Harbor resident and member of the city’s Comprehensive Plan Task Force.