Dewees Island Ferry Pass Costs Rise to $15,000 Annually

The Dewees Island Property Owners Association adopted Plan J, which significantly increased ferry pass costs for full-time residents on Dewees Island. The plan was passed by a 3 to 2 vote, setting aside a smaller 10 percent increase recommended by the board's Finance Committee. Under the new plan, the top pass, for households riding 900 or more times a year, rose from $8,500 to $15,000.

The decision directly increases the annual cost of living for full-time families residing on Dewees Island. While a reserve assessment cut offsets some of the increase, top-tier households still face a rise of about $3,200 this year. The change affects the transportation costs for residents who rely on the ferry for daily activities.