The Port of South Whidbey wants the Langley City Council to endorse the port’s proposed property tax increase.

“One of the commissioners asked the city to be on board with the tax increase,” said City Councilman Jim Recupero, who serves as the council liaison to the port.

However, no decision has been made and the city council won’t take up any discussion on the matter until the port finalizes its plans for the Langley Marina.

Recupero said it’s understandable that the port is proposing the increase as a means to rebuild the city marina, but tax increases never sit well with voters. And that’s an issue that must be considered by the elected officials who serve the port and the city.

“That’s going to be a hard sell,” Recupero said.

The port and city council met in April for a joint meeting and the two entities walked away with an agreement that the city would support the port’s plans to expand the city’s small boat harbor. Funding for the project, however, was not discussed, nor was a potential property tax increase.

Councilman Robert Gilman said if the port wants a endorsement from the city, it is likely that it would be discussed at another joint meeting in the future.