The King County Ferry District was expecting to receive about $8 million dollars from the state in revenue this year. But at its June 8 meeting, they were handed a little under $3 million instead, due to a shortage in statewide taxes.Kjris Lund, the executive member of the ferry district, however, is not worried about the nearly $5.5 million shortfall. “We don’t have a cash flow problem right now,” Lund said. “In the short-run we’re okay, because we’re accumulating funding for our longer term investments.” Lund says the ferry district is focusing all of its energy on partnering with the state to save money right now, so it will not be affected in the years to come.

The ferry district will continue to request funding from the governor and legislature, says Lund. In the meantime, she adds, cut costs by sharing docks and finding better leasing agreements. She adds that this hole in revenue will not impact any existing routes.Councilmember Reagan Dunn, who was the only member of the board who voted against the creation of the Ferry District in 2007 is not so optimistic. “It might not impact this year’s funding, probably not even 2010. But I think 4 or 5 years down the line we’re going to see a huge cut across the board to ferry services.”