Harbormaster outlines tenant outreach, occupancy goals and how marina projects enter the city budget
February 10, 2026 | Oak Harbor, Island County, Washington
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Harbormaster Elise gave a multi-part update covering tenant outreach, occupancy, a recent water-rescue, and steps required to place marina capital projects in the city's biennial budget.
She said the all-tenant meeting drew 35 in-person attendees and 103 video views; a post-meeting survey found 71% of respondents prefer email for marina information and 57% favored quarterly tenant meetings. Staff will try to offer quarterly meetings and test formats that may not be recorded to encourage candid feedback. Elise asked commissioners to help publicize the marina and noted staff plans to attend the Anacortes Boat Show (May 14–16) to recruit visitors.
On occupancy, Elise reported a month-to-month increase in guest moorage and noted staff goal of 1,000 guest reservations in 2026. She also detailed a recent water-rescue at Sea Dock where staff retrieved an individual quickly and credited Danny and Duncan for their response.
David Goldman, speaking for city finance staff, reviewed the biennial budget schedule. He said the city is starting the process for the next biennium and outlined key dates: capital planning begins in July, the mayor’s preliminary budget must be filed with council by Nov. 2, and two public hearings on revenue projections occur in the fall with adoption required before Dec. 31. Goldman said any marina capital project — for example, pump-outs — needs at least a general cost estimate and an identified funding source to be considered; one commissioner cited an illustrative pump-out cost of roughly $750,000 as an example of the level of funding a city capital request might require.
Goldman described the capital‑improvement planning approach: departments submit candidate projects and funding information; council prioritizes projects for the first two years of the six‑year CIP and may include projects as contingent on grant funding or match requirements. He advised staff and the commission to submit general estimates in time for council and mayor budget planning this year.
She said the all-tenant meeting drew 35 in-person attendees and 103 video views; a post-meeting survey found 71% of respondents prefer email for marina information and 57% favored quarterly tenant meetings. Staff will try to offer quarterly meetings and test formats that may not be recorded to encourage candid feedback. Elise asked commissioners to help publicize the marina and noted staff plans to attend the Anacortes Boat Show (May 14–16) to recruit visitors.
On occupancy, Elise reported a month-to-month increase in guest moorage and noted staff goal of 1,000 guest reservations in 2026. She also detailed a recent water-rescue at Sea Dock where staff retrieved an individual quickly and credited Danny and Duncan for their response.
David Goldman, speaking for city finance staff, reviewed the biennial budget schedule. He said the city is starting the process for the next biennium and outlined key dates: capital planning begins in July, the mayor’s preliminary budget must be filed with council by Nov. 2, and two public hearings on revenue projections occur in the fall with adoption required before Dec. 31. Goldman said any marina capital project — for example, pump-outs — needs at least a general cost estimate and an identified funding source to be considered; one commissioner cited an illustrative pump-out cost of roughly $750,000 as an example of the level of funding a city capital request might require.
Goldman described the capital‑improvement planning approach: departments submit candidate projects and funding information; council prioritizes projects for the first two years of the six‑year CIP and may include projects as contingent on grant funding or match requirements. He advised staff and the commission to submit general estimates in time for council and mayor budget planning this year.
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