We endorse the Port of Poulsbo’s annexation proposal on the Nov. 8 ballot, but not because of the alarmist slogans on signs put up by supporters (“Save Liberty Bay!” “Save the Marina!”).

We support the measure because it’s fair.

The fact is, the port district’s amenities, which belong to the public, benefit all of Poulsbo:

— The marina attracts visiting boaters, who spend money in our stores and restaurants. That’s an economic benefit.

— The marina and its boat launch — the only public boat launch in Poulsbo — provide access to the bay (Poulsbo is part of the National Water Trails system). That’s a recreational benefit. The marina and its seaplane base provide transportation benefits.

— The marina has 21 liveaboard slips. That makes the marina a source of affordable living and, by virtue of a round-the-clock population, enhances the security of the marina area.

— The port district owns a parking lot on Jensen Way, used by port tenants. That frees up parking elsewhere downtown, a benefit to all downtown visitors.

— The port district’s pollution-prevention measures have earned the port Clean Marina designation from the state Department of Ecology. That’s good for the marine environment and it’s good for us.

Property owners in the port district support these services with a tax levy of 30 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. That’s $75 for a house valued at $250,000.

The problem: Roughly 50 percent of Poulsbo is located outside the port district boundaries. That’s because as the Poulsbo city limits expanded, the port district’s boundaries did not. That means 50 percent of Poulsbo’s property owners are supporting a port district that benefits 100 percent of Poulsbo.

Expansion of the port district boundaries would generate approximately $147,000 a year in additional revenue, which would be used to continue removal of creosoted pilings, replace the aging breakwater, rehabilitate the public boat launch, and further improve the marina and its amenities.

We all benefit from a clean marina, a clean bay, and the recreational and economic contributions that the Port of Poulsbo provides. We believe most Poulsbo residents agree; the port’s overly ambitious annexation proposal in 2014 was soundly rejected by residents of communities outside of the city limits, but with Poulsbo it failed by 60 votes.

That’s why we urge residents to vote “yes” on Proposition 1, “Enlargement of Port of Poulsbo.”

— To read how the Port of Poulsbo invests and manages public dollars, go to www.portofpoulsbo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2016-Draft-Budget.pdf