Port of South Whidbey officials are still considering a levy reset, though it might not make it to the November ballot.

In February, port commissioners discussed a possible reset to help fund the district’s cost of operations. They agreed an inventory of the port’s capital facilities should be conducted before setting a new levy rate.

The current levy rate is at 11 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. The last increase has not occurred since the port took over ownership of the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds from Island County in 2017.

Executive Director Angi Mozer told the commissioners this week that no bids were received to do the capital facilities plan. As a backup plan, the port can rely on the updated comprehensive scheme and a couple of other reports, she said. An engineer or commercial appraiser could help the port determine the costs for capital improvement and needs.

Commissioner Curt Gordon said he thought it was a good idea and that the port didn’t have a lot of choice. Commissioner Greg Easton agreed it could be done at a cost effective rate and suggested working with a consultant when specific expertise is needed.

Gordon said he would like the commissioners to strategize more than one potential date for the levy and added that he wouldn’t be comfortable promoting it until the capital facilities plan is completed.

“I think the public deserves to know more specifically what they’re paying for,” he said, adding that things might be “ugly” between now and November. The Port of South Whidbey may be the smallest taxing district in terms of millage, but people aren’t going to understand that, he said.

Commissioner Jack Ng agreed that there isn’t a lot of time to get the levy on the general election ballot when it’s already April.

“This year with the economy, with the stock market, and everybody’s probably crying about their 401Ks and if we want to try to ask for a normal tax, probably not the best year to ask for it,” Ng said. “And, you know, there could be a recession coming up pretty soon.”