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Council debates possible increase to per‑head landing fee; range discussed $1.50–$2.00
Summary
Council members reviewed data on tourism‑related costs and discussed options to increase the landing fee (currently 50¢) with several council members suggesting targets ranging from $1.50 to $2.00; staff recommended electronic collection and noted potential legal and legislative considerations.
Councilmembers discussed possible changes to the per‑visitor landing fee during a legislative conversation on March 3, reviewing inflation, documented tourism‑related costs and collection mechanics.
The staff memo noted simple inflation would move a 50¢ fee to about $1.17 from inception, while council staff analysis of town expenses eligible under the landing‑fee statute shows those costs rose roughly 43% over five years. Combining those trends, staff said an inflation‑and‑costs approach would suggest a number in the mid‑dollar range; one council member suggested a figure "at least $2." Another council member proposed $1.50 as a pragmatic middle ground.
Council members discussed collection mechanics. Staff said electronic payments and revised harbor collections will make per‑person collections more reliable and that the town will resume direct per‑head collection in Old Harbor and New Harbor rather than using a vessel‑based estimate. The council also discussed the political and legislative risk of choosing a higher number, including how state legislators might respond if the town seeks enabling legislation.
No formal action was taken; the discussion produced direction for staff to gather more data, consult with the town's lobbyists, and to obtain feedback from nearby municipalities that recently sought similar increases.
