PUBLIC HEARING SET FOR COMMUNITY INPUT ON CREATION OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

AND

PUBLIC HEARING SET FOR COMMUNITY INPUT ON AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME OF HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS

September 22, 2021 – 7 PM Public Hearing Starts

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The Port of Coupeville Considers an Industrial Development District

The Port of Coupeville, created in 1966, has a unique role in sustaining the economic health of Central Whidbey Island through the proper oversight of its valued community assets: the Coupeville Wharf, 24 Front Street (former Gillespie Meat Market now Collections Boutique), and Greenbank Farm. The status of the Port’s assets is captured in its Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements that was last updated in 2018 following a robust community engagement process that included a Citizen Advisory Committee.

Much of the Port’s assets were built decades ago and are in need of substantial upgrades and repairs. To address those needs, the Port has recently completed a Capital Finance Plan that projects the planning level costs to undertake these much-needed renovations. Existing Port tax revenues and operating income are inadequate to fund needed improvements which are preliminarily estimated to be over $13 million.

Since the mid 1950’s Washington ports have been authorized to levy a special property tax (Industrial Development Levy) to fund needed capital improvements. This unique levy would be allocated to exclusively fund needed repairs and enhancements throughout the Port of Coupeville Industrial Development District (IDD). The Port will be considering the need to create the IDD at a series of public hearings in the Fall of 2021, and if approved to move forward, the first levy would be effective in 2022 or later.

If these valued community assets are to be protected for generations to come, these renovations need to be made in a timely fashion. We look forward to engaging with the community to explore the possibilities.

Review the Findings Memorandum:

Review the Construction, Repair, & Maintenance needs of the Port properties: