Chapter 10.34
FERRY RATES1

Sections:

10.34.005    Definitions.

10.34.010    Effective date for ferry user fees.

10.34.020    Interpretation of rate schedule.

10.34.030    Use of ferry user fee revenues.

10.34.005 Definitions.

A. “Ferry system” means all physical elements of the Lummi Island ferry operations, including both the Gooseberry Point and Lummi Island vehicle and pedestrian staging areas, vehicle parking areas, and ferry docks, and any and all boats utilized for transport purposes.

B. “Operating cost” means all actual daily running expenses and all actual regular and routine maintenance and administrative expenses associated with the use and operation of all physical elements of the ferry system.

C. “Capital cost” means all capital expenditures, including financing and depreciation expenses applied to the replacement, expansion, or creation of ferry system physical elements.

D. “Fare box recovery rate” means the calculated percentage of total revenue generated through ferry user fees in comparison to total actual operating costs for the same period of time minus any revenue from the motor vehicle fuel tax meant for ferry operations, or from interest.

E. “Ferry user fees” means the rates and charges required of and collected from any and all users of the ferry system, as established and periodically amended in the Unified Fee Schedule.

F. “Rate schedule” means the combination of ferry user fees and operational policies affecting the use of the ferry system. (Ord. 2021-012 Exh. A; Ord. 2015-034 Exh. A; Ord. 2013-042 Exh. A; Ord. 2012-016 Exh. A; Ord. 2010-054 Exh. A; Ord. 2008-052 Exh. A; Ord. 2008-017 Exh. A; Ord. 2007-001 Exh. A; Ord. 2005-090 Exh. A).

10.34.010 Effective date for ferry user fees.

Ferry user fees are set forth in the Whatcom County Unified Fee Schedule and become effective as set forth in the ordinance adopting or amending such schedule. (Ord. 2021-012 Exh. A; Ord. 2015-034 Exh. A; Ord. 2013-042 Exh. A; Ord. 2012-016 Exh. A; Ord. 2010-054 Exh. A; Ord. 2008-052 Exh. A; Ord. 2008-017 Exh. A; Ord. 2007-001 Exh. A; Ord. 2005-090 Exh. A; Ord. 2002-012; Ord. 2001-064; Ord. 93-080 Exh. Q).

10.34.020 Interpretation of rate schedule.

The following provisions should be observed in application of the ferry rate schedule:

A. Buses, mobile homes, motor homes, fifth wheels in bed of pickup, and trailers including goosenecks are charged by total length. Length includes tongue, hitch, and projections to the rear.

B. Tow vehicles with trailers shall be charged a combined rate based on total length of the trailer, as defined in subsection A of this section, and weight of the tow vehicle based on the gross vehicle weight of the designation of the vehicle. Heavy machinery that is self-propelled onto the ferry shall be charged at the corresponding vehicle weight.

C. Special trips are a surcharge in addition to the applicable fare.

D. A weekly run limited to fuel trucks, charged at the regular rate, shall be scheduled by the public works department and published appropriately.

E. All trucks shall be charged regular round-trip rates based on gross vehicle weight.

F. Over-width vehicles or trailers occupying more than one lane shall be charged a 50 percent surcharge. In addition, vehicles towing over-width trailers shall also be charged a 50 percent surcharge.

G. Student multi-ride cards shall be sold to full-time post-high school students only. Proof of post-high school enrollment shall be required at time of purchase. No special student discount is available for drivers of vehicles.

H. Children 12 to under 19 years of age will receive free passenger and pedestrian passage all year round. No special child discount is available for drivers of vehicles.

I. County employees on official county business shall be exempt from fares. All county employee trips exempt from fares will be tracked, and $10.00 per trip will be credited toward the fare box recovery rate each year.

J. During the term of the tidelands lease agreement dated October 24, 2011, lessee (Whatcom County) shall grant free foot and noncommercial passenger vehicle passage upon and across the ferry operated by lessee between Gooseberry Point and Lummi Island to those persons going to Lummi Island for legitimate tribal business who are either enrolled members of the Lummi Nation or employees thereof, and who also present appropriate identification issued by the nation, including Lummi Indian Business Council identification cards or current fishing cards/licenses as issued by the Lummi Nation.

K. A special needs-based discount is provided for Lummi Island residents who meet the very low income levels set annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The current year’s levels will be posted on the Whatcom County public works ferry web page. The reviewing authority will screen all applicants to determine eligibility. The number of needs-based applications processed annually, regardless of approval, will depend on the constraints of the ferry operations budget for each year. These special needs-based tickets will only be sold at the Whatcom County public works administration building in Bellingham and will require a valid voucher issued from the reviewing authority and valid ID. Eligibility will be reviewed at least annually by the reviewing authority. Forms and procedures will be developed by the Whatcom County public works and the reviewing authority.

L. Eligibility for a special “senior/disabled” discount is available to all Lummi Island residents who currently hold property tax exemptions or deferral as defined under RCW 84.36.381 and 84.38.030 and WAC 458-16-020 and 458-18-020, and as these may be hereafter amended. These special needs-based tickets will only be sold at the Whatcom County public works administration building in Bellingham and will require valid ID.

M. Multi-ride cards purchased prior to the most current fare change shall be valid until six months after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. Multi-ride cards purchased at the previous rate rather higher or lower than the new rate will be accepted for use as one punch equals one round trip. No credit or refund will be allowed or issued. These rate changes will take place within 60 calendar days of the adopted date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.

N. All children under the age of 12 years when traveling on the Whatcom County ferry must be accompanied by an adult. An exception to this policy will be made only if the adult parent or guardian signs a waiver exempting Whatcom County from all liabilities for any and all injuries, loss of life, etc., while the child is traveling on the ferry.

O. A capital surcharge of $1.00 shall be collected for all fares except for student multi-ride cards (subsection G of this section), special needs-based fares (subsection K of this section), and special senior/disabled fares (subsection L of this section). The capital surcharge shall be used exclusively for the construction of a new ferry vessel and terminal improvements. (Ord. 2021-012 Exh. A; Ord. 2015-034 Exh. A; Ord. 2013-042 Exh. A; Ord. 2012-016 Exh. A; Ord. 2010-054 Exh. A; Ord. 2008-052 Exh. A; Ord. 2008-017 Exh. A; Ord. 2007-001 Exh. A; Ord. 2005-090 Exh. A; Ord. 2002-012; Ord. 2001-064; Ord. 93-080 Exh. Q).

10.34.030 Use of ferry user fee revenues.

Beginning January 1, 2006, a 55 percent fare box recovery rate shall be applied and evaluated continuously from that time forward. An annual review of ferry system services, actual and projected operating costs, and actual and projected revenue from ferry user fees shall occur in order to verify the 55 percent fare box recovery rate is being achieved.

In any given year the actual fare box recovery rate exceeds 55 percent, the excess revenue shall be retained in the ferry system fund and applied only to future operating costs.

In any given year the actual fare box recovery rate is below 55 percent, the difference shall be recovered in a future ferry user fee increase unless there is adequate excess ferry user fee revenue remaining in the ferry system fund collected during prior years.

Beginning January 1, 2007, any interest income or income from state motor vehicle fuel tax for ferry operation will be deducted from the actual operating costs before the actual 55 percent fare box recovery rate is calculated. (Ord. 2021-012 Exh. A; Ord. 2015-034 Exh. A; Ord. 2013-042 Exh. A; Ord. 2012-016 Exh. A; Ord. 2010-054 Exh. A; Ord. 2008-052 Exh. A; Ord. 2008-017 Exh. A; Ord. 2007-001 Exh. A; Ord. 2005-090 Exh. A; Ord. 2002-012; Ord. 2001-064).


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Prior legislation: Ord. 89-103.