Boaters balk at proposed rate hikes at San Francisco Marina
SAN FRANCISCO -- As the sun begins to set with the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance, boats make their way back to their slips.
"This is San Francisco Harbor. It's a sailing harbor with some of the best sailing in the world," said Roger Kroeze.
Kroeze has docked his boat in the city for more than 20 years but he's growing tired of paying rising harbor dues, as boaters say they're getting very little in return.
"This is a publicly run marina. The services in the marina are the poorest," said Kroeze.
Looming budget deficits have city departments scrambling to address the shortfalls and search for additional revenue. City officials want to hike the berthing fees for boat owners by more than 30%.
Mariners say that's unnecessarily rocking the boat.
"The city doesn't know how to run a yacht harbor yet they're running it and they're charging me more and more," said Kroeze.
The city's Recreation and Park Department recently proposed a set of rate hikes; one that kicks in later this year, and another next July, that will total more than 30% of the fees they're paying now.
Kroeze pays about $12,000 annually. Other boaters with larger slips pay more than $30,000.
He says the rising fees are frustrating when the basic upkeep of bathrooms, showers, and other harbor necessities, is well below average.
"That's a lot of money with all these rules attached to it, and not having some of the same quality of services that we get at other marinas," said Kroeze.
Recreation and Park Director Phil Ginsburg and Deputy Tamara Aparton both declined on-camera interviews.
The department sent a statement to CBS News Bay Area instead that reads in part, "Rec and Park prioritizes its funding to support recreation programs for children, seniors, and low-income families, as well as parks and playgrounds across the city. Therefore, it's important that the Marina Small Craft Harbor is financially self-sustaining."
"I would love to see a consultant outside of the city that would come in and tell them how to properly run this and manage the harbor to meet budget," said Kroeze.
A recent city analysis concluded a 31.4% increase in berthing rates was necessary for the Marina to break even on operating costs.
Kroeze is one of 600 vessel owners who will be impacted.
"If the rates need to be raised, then give us better services and give us better rules to enjoy the money that we're spending on being in this harbor in a lovely city in a lovely bay that's a sailing bay," said Kroeze.
Boaters say they're getting squeezed. But Kroeze isn't quite ready to give up a picture perfect view of a city he still loves.
The city's Budget and Finance Committee will hear the proposal for the fee increases in the coming weeks before final approval by the Board of Supervisors.
