Playing catchup with the Comox Bay Marina, Comox council voted in favour Wednesday to increase moorage rates for the next three years at their marina.In his report to council, Don Jacquest, director of finance for the Town, reported last week there is a 15-per-cent gap in moorage rates between the Town’s marina and the private Comox Bay Marina. He added the annual moorage revenue is around $235,000 in 2011 for the Town, and there could be a potential $35,000 per year in revenue if rates were in line with those at the private marina.Jacquest suggested increases of six per cent in 2012, 12 per cent in 2013 and six per cent in 2014. He added in 2013, seven per cent HST will be removed from moorage, and could be used to offset a higher-than-usual rate increase that year.Coun. Barbara Price inquired if the private and public marina are comparable.”I’m biased, but I don’t think they are comparable,” said Jacquest. “Although ours doesn’t have the larger slips which are capable of taking larger vessels. If you’re in the smaller boat category — particularly sailboats — ours is better suited.”The Comox Marina has about 150 to 160 slips for boats, confirmed Richard Kanigan, the Town’s chief administrative officer. The motion to increase rates was passed, and will return to council next week as a bylaw for approval.photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Comox Valley Record