EVERETT — City and port leaders are looking for ways to bring back Jetty Island Days this summer.

Last spring the passenger ferry service to the sand bar just off Everett’s waterfront was canceled due to the pandemic and crowd limits, as well as the city’s budget cuts and freezes.

It costs the city $109,000 each summer to contract with Seattle-based Argosy Cruises for the boat rides between July 5 and Labor Day.

The ferry is fare-free for passengers, who are encouraged to donate $2 per adult and $1 per child. But since 2007, the highest donation total was less than $20,000, in 2014, when 39,777 passengers hopped aboard.

After the budget cuts, including dozens of layoffs and voluntary separations, the Everett City Council allocated money for other “quality of life” programs such as the Independence Day fireworks display, but stopped short of committing to Jetty Island Days again in 2021.

Council members and city staff were hopeful that other organizations would cover some of the ferry service cost. City and Port of Everett officials said discussions about resuming the service are happening.

“The city is excited to work with our partners at the Port of Everett and the county to explore opportunities to make the Jetty Island experience happen in 2021, in compliance with whatever state public health guidelines are in effect,” city spokesman Julio Cortes said in an email. “We are still in discussions on the details.”

Port officials confirmed talks about resuming the ferry service, which began as a joint operation between the city and the Port of Everett in 1989.

“This is a beloved program for our community,” port CEO Lisa Lefeber said during a commission meeting Tuesday. “We are working with the city and our partners at the county to find a way, given the current financial situation at the city, to have Jetty Island Days happen in 2021.”

A plan could be announced in April, she said.

The Argosy Queen’s Launch has served as the Jetty Island ferry for almost a decade. At most, the ship can host 60 passengers per trip and do four trips an hour, according to a city document.

Crowd size and physical distancing constraints were factors in the city’s cancellation of service last year.

“It is not an easy task — there is no ideal solution, and there are a lot of details to work through,” port spokeswoman Cat Soper said in an email.

Construction of the Jetty landing restroom facility won’t be completed this summer. Part of the reason is that costs increased, especially for lumber, Lefeber said. A plan for that project could be ready in April.

Ben Watanabe: bwatanabe@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3037; Twitter @benwatanabe.