EPHRATA - The Grant County PUD is planning for Crescent Bar residents to be on the island past the end of the lease.

Grant County PUD commissioners plan to vote Monday on a resolution to hire an appraiser to determine the fair market rent for the island and the utility's off-island property.

If the resolution is approved, the utility plans to charge the Port of Quincy the new rate starting after the lease ends in June.

PUD spokesperson Sarah Morford explained the time frame for the civil lawsuit between the Crescent Bar residents and the PUD has pushed back plans to return the island to full public use.

"The work won't start when we thought it would, and there is a potential for the tenants to be there when their lease expires," she said. "The intent would be to collect fair market value for the property after the lease expires."

The new payments would be made outside of a lease agreement, Morford said. She didn't know how the change would affect the lawsuit.

Grant PUD Commission President Tom Flint stated the island should be returned to full public use.

"Although these circumstances may delay broader access to this property, we can act proactively, and in the best interest of our customers, to collect funds that more accurately represent appropriate payment for use of the land," Flint stated.

The port presently leases the land for $100 a year, according to the PUD. The new rate is expected to be a significant increase.

Port of Quincy Commissioner Curt Morris hadn't heard about the proposal, explaining the port rents the land to Crescent Bar Inc.