Washington State Ferries is facing a deficit at a time when the economy is in decline and the state Legislature is facing its own money problems.

The Anacortes Ferry Advisory Committee meets 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Senior Center to discuss these and other issues pertaining to the ferry system’s draft long-range plan due out in mid-November.

The public is invited to the meeting, which along with several others in the Puget Sound area, will build on information and issues presented to the public in June.

Issues concerning Anacortes include fare pricing, coordination with local transit authorities, the condition of the ferries, the Anacortes Terminal renovation and the Sidney, British Columbia, Canada run, said Duane Clark, who will chair next week’s meeting.

Washington State Ferries is looking at a huge deficit just to fund the typical operations of the ferry system and so is looking at real challenges in an economically challenging time, Clark said. And it may be hard to expect anything from the state Legislature, which will have to make up a $3.2 billion deficit in the 2009-2011 budget period.

Clark said the FAC meeting will provide one of the best opportunities for interested parties to have a face to face conversation with WSF representatives, including Ferries Division Assistant Secretary David Moseley who is expected to attend.

The five-member advisory committee works with the Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division to address issues concerning the community.

Clark will most likely take the helm as committee chair from Ian Munce who left his city planner and attorney position for a job in Tacoma. Clark was asked to take his FAC spot by Mayor Dean Maxwell, though the Skagit County Commission has to make the official appointment.

The ferry’s long-range plan aims to address the long-term financial sustainability of the ferry system. Its development stems from 2007 legislation that identified specific topics for study and required new levels of cooperation and collaboration between the Legislature, Washington State Transportation Commission and WSDOT.