KINGSTON — Three tenths of a cent could add up to a new and improved passenger ferry in Kingston, if North End commuters have their way. The release of a investment plan by Kitsap Transit explaining how the ferry system could be funded, a few tenths of a cent at a time, has led to informational meetings that aim to clarify the financial plan with the community.

In the end, Kitsap Transit is hoping to garner feedback from residents on the proposed sales tax, which will go to the voters in February 2007. North Kitsap residents will be able to add their own two cents on the issue from 4-7 p.m. Aug. 16 during the first of five ferry informational meetings scattered around the Kitsap County area.

“We’ve had the plan in development for a while,” said Kitsap Transit spokeswoman Cathy Knox Browning, adding that the next step in the process is to seek public opinion about the sales tax as it relates to the foot ferry.

Kitsap Transit is currently in negotiations with Aqua Express to purchase assets and start the short-lived passenger-only ferry service from Kingston to Seattle again. This discussion stemmed from Aqua Express’ temporary discontinuation of service in October 2005 due to lower than expected usage. The company had until July 1, 2006 to restart service but was granted another temporary discontinuance of service. The new deadline for restarting is Dec. 31, 2006.

“The status with Aqua Express is the same,” said Aqua Express spokesman Jim Boldt, noting that the informational meetings do not mean that negotiations between the two companies have ceased. The two are merely testing the waters to determine how the public will react to the proposed funding plan.

Though 3/10ths of a cent may sound insignificant, it will raise the sales tax in the transit areas from 8.6 percent to 8.9 percent, said Kitsap Transit Executive Director Richard Hayes. Overall, that will bring in $10.5 million annually, and combined with the ferry fares that will bring in at least that amount if not more, the ferries will run again, he said.

“What we’ll do after this is show the (Kitsap Transit) board all the input from the public,” Knox Browning said. “We’ll change the plan as the board directs us.”

Knox Browning warned not to put ferries before taxes, saying that public opinion must be sought and the sales tax hike must be approved before the ferry system can resume.

“The decision hinges on the vote,” Boldt said. “We’ll see how the public reacts to the sales tax.”

“It’s important that the public has their questions answered,” said Kitsap County Commissioner Chris Endresen, noting that there will be inquiries about the plan and its potential impacts on the community.

The public reaction so far has been minimal Knox Browning said, noting that the only concerns she has received about the meetings is the time scheduling. Commuters interested in the subject have asked that the discussion last later than 7 p.m., so they can attend.

“There is a perceived demand for the ferry,” she said, adding that many commuters especially are in favor of getting the passenger ferry service running again. “We want to get as many cars off the road as possible.”