The Port of South Whidbey’s long-delayed Bush Point boat ramp project has run into bureaucratic shoals amid a $115,000 shortfall.

Department of Fish and Wildlife project engineer Kristen Kuykendall reported both good news and bad to port commissioners Wednesday.

The boat launch ramp, or Phase I, will be finished by the end of January, on time and under budget. “Everything has gone very well,” she said.

But the bid for Phase II — consisting of an on-site restroom, painting, fencing, parking lot paving, landscaping and a septic system — came in “way over” budget. And Kuykendall asked commissioners to chip in $115,000 to make up the difference.

“I asked our own agency but they’ve taken a hit from the Legislature. It’s up to you now,” she said.

Plus, port commissioners face a time crunch. They had only until Jan. 15 to respond to meet contractor deadlines.

The port began working on Bush Point in 1998, responding to the needs of boaters and fishermen for water access on the island’s west side. A variety of delays over the years — a septic-versus-sewer connection problem, discovery of an offshore surf smelt habitat, handicap-access needs — raised the cost and helped fuel anglers’ anger.

The ramp is a pre-cast concrete grid providing traction for cars and boat trailers. Original plans called for a launching float, restroom and handicapped parking. Under the terms of a 25-year interlocal agreement, Washington Fish and Wildlife funded and built the ramp and the port will manage and maintain it.

The port already owns several parcels of land at Bush Point: The lots behind the old general store and 27,000 square feet used as a parking lot, a rental house east of the store, the rail boat launch and 200 feet of public beach.

In his first regular meeting as commissioner, Geoff Tapert wondered if the state could turn ownership over to the port in return for the money. “If we could get a quit-claim for the property, that might justify the funding,” Tapert said.

“It’s been eight years, we’re already in the hole and there’s no telling what else will turn up,” he said. “It seems a little extortionate, especially without a quid pro quo.”

Commissioner Rolf Seitle agreed.

“They’ve got us over a barrel here,” Seitle said.

Commissioner Lynae Slinden felt a 35-year extension might be the answer.

“This is a lot of money but we have it in reserve and it’s time to get this project finished,” she said.

Kuykendall said a property transfer would require more work at the state level, however.

“It has to go through our real estate department and that will take time,” she said. She also noted that her department and the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation has spent $1.7 million on land purchase, design and construction to date.

Kuykendall wanted immediate action because the contract has a Memorial Day completion date.

And she got it — Seitle and Tapert voted against spending the $115,000, Slinden voted yes.

Kuykendall said she would convey the port’s concerns to management in Olympia, focusing on the lease extension first.

“The 25-year contract (which began in 1998) has an automatic 25-year extension,” she explained. “The way we’re structured, it will be easier to get that passed. Anything more will take longer.”

In the meantime, work on Phase II will continue in small bits and pieces while funding is worked out. The contract between the port and the state agencies is good through July 31, when the entire project must be completed.

Bush Point resident Larry Dobrin, a former candidate for port commissioner, noted the size of the state request.

“Here are three well-intentioned commissioners being asked to come up with a large amount of money,” Dobrin said. “I think the engineer should have done a better job explaining the project’s history and why there’s a need for more funding. And why that crane spends so much time sitting down there, doing nothing.”

By Friday, port officials were scrambling to fix the funding problem. The deadline for finding more money for the project had been extended.

“The port has managed to find an extra 15 days to get funding in place and the project underway again,” said port manager Ed Field.