Last year the Port of Coupeville purchased approximately $83,000 in fuel that it sold to boaters. However, the approximately $7,000 earned from the fuel sales isn’t enough to pay for the overhead.

That situation prompted the commissioners to make changes to how it charges and accounts for fuel.

Earlier this month, commissioners approved a 10 cent per gallon markup the port charges nine months out of the year, raising the cost from 30 cents to 40 cents per gallon. That brings it in line with the fee it charges during the summer boating season.

Jim Patton, port executive director, said the money earned didn’t cover the employee, insurance and utility costs associated with offering fuel from the wharf.

“We didn’t recover all of the costs,” Patton said.

Port officials considered eliminating fuel discounts offered with larger fuel sales, but commissioners rejected that idea.

Commissioner Benye Weber said the fuel discount is a good enticement to draw larger boats to Coupeville which, in turn, boosts business to downtown shops.