Port of South Whidbey Director Manages $1,000 Ferry Cost and 90-Year-Old Facilities

Jim Pivarnik was coaxed out of retirement last year by the commissioners of the Port of South Whidbey to assume the role of port director. Before accepting the position, Pivarnik spent more than 27 years managing marinas for the port districts of Port Townsend and Kingston. He is now responsible for overseeing multiple facilities on Whidbey Island, including the Langley marina, waterfront parks, and the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds.

The port took over the fairgrounds from Island County in 2016 following a ballot measure that received over 60 percent approval. The measure included a property tax increase to support the transfer. The fairgrounds complex contains buildings that are 90 years old, which Pivarnik’s team must maintain year-round to support the annual fair that lasts four days in the summer. The port’s mission statement directs it to enhance the local economic well-being and improve public access to marine areas while respecting the rural character of South Whidbey Island.

Pivarnik serves as a port director for a district that operates a 40-slip transient moorage marina in Langley. This facility was completed in the 1980s through a partnership involving the city of Langley and the state of Washington. State and federal grants require the marina to remain a transient-only facility, a rule that Pivarnik notes can be frustrating for local residents who seek permanent slips. He stated that the port should bring visitors to the area to spend money, a goal he believes the current usage model achieves.

The port recently tested a passenger ferry service called the Harbor Hopper between Langley and Everett. The trial run was a partnership between the ports of Everett and South Whidbey. Pivarnik reported that the round-trip fuel cost is approximately $1,000. The port is currently analyzing survey data and seeking sponsors to help cover costs before deciding whether to return the service in 2027. Local business owners in Langley reported higher sales during the trial period.

Pivarnik also manages three boat ramps that face frequent damage from currents and winds in the Salish Sea. He described the rapid accumulation of sand at the Bush Point ramp, noting that the area can fill with several feet of sand within hours after being cleared at low tide. The port staff works to keep the ramps accessible for boaters despite these environmental conditions.

Mayor Kennedy Horstmann of Langley commented on Pivarnik’s leadership, describing him as grounded and approachable. She noted that his sensitivity to local history is a good fit for the port, which operates two key facilities in her city. Pivarnik, who is past 70, plans to remain in his position as long as the commission requires his services. He aims to make the transition smooth for his successor, whom he hopes will be a local individual with energy and intelligence.

The port works with the Whidbey Island Fair Association, an independent organization that serves as the port’s tenant for the annual event. Current tenants, including a jiu-jitsu studio, agree to clear out their spaces in July to allow for the fair. Rent income from these year-round tenants helps the port maintain the buildings and comply with county stipulations that the fair continues as a mainstay in the community.