PORT TOWNSEND — Making good Monday on her November promise to return this year before a favorable Democratic majority, Fort Worden Advisory Committee Chairwoman Jean Dunbar this time successfully solicited $20,000 from Jefferson County to help keep Fort Worden State Park parking free.
With Brinnon Republican Commissioner Pat Rodgers saying, “I strongly vote against it,” Democratic Commissioners David Sullivan, of Cape George and Phil Johnson of Port Townsend maintained their campaign support for Lodging Tax Advisory Committee funds to avoid a $5 daily parking fee at the state park.
The commissioners took the action after a Monday hearing in their chambers at Jefferson County Courthouse.
Sullivan and Johnson voiced support for helping the state, city of Port Townsend and the advisory committee’s Parking Fee Coalition with the funds to offset the state’s $5 daily user fee on parking.
The agreement with state parks specifies that in lieu of parking fees, a payment schedule totaling $60,000 in 2004 and $65,000 in 2005 is paid.
The city of Port Townsend has paid $25,000 during the first two quarters of this year. Annual state park pass sales and surcharges on meeting room reservations and tickets sold at Fort Worden have contributed more than $25,000, Dunbar said last year.
Economic boost
City leaders view the park as a part of Port Townsend that provides more than 170 jobs and supports nonprofit organizations such as the Centrum Foundation and the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, part of the city’s overall economic well-being.