Port of South Whidbey commissioners voted unanimously on Monday to put a property tax increase before voters next August.

The increase of 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value is needed to fund the port’s plans to expand the Langley marina.

The current port tax rate is .102 per $1,000 of assessed value. For a homeowner with a house valued at $350,000, the increase would be roughly $70 per year.

Port financial coordinator Dane Anderson estimates the levy increase will bring in an additional $900,000 per year.

Other options considered included a short-term loan to augment the port’s current $455,000 tax revenue and a non-voter approved industrial development district tax increase.