Regarding reporter Paul Galinski’s report on discussions at the City of Powell River finance committee meeting with respect to harbour user fees, the city staff report to council argued in favour of a significant increase in moorage fees at Powell River’s publicly-owned harbours in order to generate a profit to support other city operations [“City of Powell River finance committee reviews harbour rates, November 28”]
The harbours do not operate at a loss; they operate on a break even, or cost-recovery basis, and always have. Further, moorage fees collected from north harbour users are sufficient to make annual contributions to a fund earmarked for reconstruction of the docks and other infrastructure when it is necessary in 40 or so years.
What is defined in the staff report as a “loss” is actually profit the city could realize if it applied property tax to the harbours.
Harbour users have made clear to city administration, both during recent discussions at finance committee and in July when outsized rate increases were first proposed, that we are prepared to pay more to cover increased costs and, more importantly, to volunteer time and energy to work with the city to identify and implement ways to operate our harbours more effectively and efficiently to the benefit of harbour users and city coffers.
That in a nutshell describes the motion adopted by the finance committee: moorage fees will rise in tandem with inflation, insurance will be required as soon as practicable (implementing an insurance requirement without notice would have resulted in a massive headache not only for owners, but for the city as well) and an advisory committee will be established to ensure a viable and vibrant future for what are without question among Powell River’s greatest public assets.
Powell River’s harbours - north, Westview and south - are an identifying feature of Powell River; a significant part of our culture and heritage; a major economic driver for the local economy, supporting many direct and indirect jobs; a draw for thousands of visitors every summer who support local businesses; and the basis for countless hours of recreation and enjoyment for hundreds of local boaters and their families and friends (totalling thousands of area residents). And they cost the city nothing.
Ken Kolba,
Powell River
