FORMATION, BOUNDARIES and ELECTIONS

FORMATION OF PORT DISTRICT

The Washington State Port Act of 1911 authorized the formation of Port Districts and outlined their powers. Port districts are able to engage in a wide range of activities including the acquisition of property and the operation of facilities. Generally, these fall into following categories.

  1. Economic development
  2. Promote tourism development
  3. Marine terminals and marinas
  4. Airports
  5. Industrial development
  6. Park and recreational facilities if necessary to more fully utilize other development

The Port District known as the Port of Coupeville was formed under the authority of the 1911 Act, pursuant to a favorable 63% majority vote of the Port District voters in a special election held November 8, 1966. The formation of the Port District was instigated by the assumption at the time that the United States Navy was ready to release their real estate holdings at the Coupeville Outlying Field and Lake Hancock. Although this assumption later proved to be invalid, the Port District was formed and adopted its first comprehensive plan the following March, 1967, based on that assumption.

FORMATION OF PORT DISTRICT

The geographical area of the Port District consists of what is generally known as Central Whidbey Island, and is coincident with the boundaries of the Coupeville School District. Currently, the Ports three electoral districts coincide with the following voting precincts of Island County.

Commissioner District 1: Coupeville #1, Coupeville #2 and Central
Commissioner District 2: Coveland, San de Fuca and Prairie
Commissioner District 3: Admiralty, Greenbank and Lagoon Point
(See map, Appendix A)

ELECTION OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

The Port District is divided into three Commissioner Districts, each of which has one representative on the Board of Commissioners. Commissioners are elected for a six (6) year term. A new commissioner is elected every two (2) years in a public election by all District voters. Terms begin in January of the first year and end in December of the sixth year. Current terms are as follows.
District 1: 2004-2009
District 2: 2002-2007
District 3: 2006-2011

Port of Coupeville Comprehensive Plan 2007-2026