The Jacksonville Port Authority’s board chairman says he’s ridden the St. Johns River Ferry since childhood and wants it to stay, if the city and state come up with a new financing plan in the next year.

Board chairman Reginald Gaffney said he will argue for a go-slow approach when the future of the ferry comes up for board discussion at its meeting today.

JaxPort CEO Paul Anderson has said the authority cannot keep paying for the ferry because it diverts money that could be used attracting more cargo and related jobs.

A major question hanging over the ferry is how long JaxPort would run it while city and state leaders — facing their own budget woes — scramble for replacement money.

Gaffney said he will argue for an approach giving the city and state agencies enough time to come up with a financing plan.

He said he favors JaxPort operating the ferry for at least rest of this fiscal year ending in September. He said he would support JaxPort continuing the ferry into 2013 if the city and state are making progress in their discussions.

“We’re caught in a tough situation, but as long as the city and the state are willing to help come up with a plan, I will support that,” he said.

JaxPort took over the ferry in 2007 after the city said it could no longer afford the service.

Over a four-year period, JaxPort spent $2.5 million in subsidies plus $636,000 for equipment and maintenance.

“We are in desperate need for jobs in this community,” Gaffney said. “We can put those dollars toward job creation.”

The board meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. today at JaxPort’s headquarters, 2831 Talleyrand Ave.