Petersburg assembly adopts FY2026 budget, approves $1M harbor appropriation for potential ACL dock amid debate

The Petersburg Borough Assembly adopted its fiscal year 2025–26 budget on June 2, 2025, approving an appropriation of $1,000,000 from the Harbor Enterprise Fund for a possible contribution to a cruise-ship dock project proposed by American Cruise Lines (ACL). The assembly approved the budget, including the harbor appropriation, by a 5–2 roll-call vote. The ordinance (20 25 0 5) requires that no funds be spent under the appropriation until the assembly approves a written agreement with ACL.

The appropriation and the process for negotiating with ACL drew public comment and extensive discussion. Bob Barton identified himself as chair of the Harbor Board but spoke for himself, telling the assembly he supports a dedicated cruise dock but questioned using harbor reserve money—funds generated largely from the commercial fishing fleet—to subsidize tourism. "If you cannot come up with a plan to replace this reserve money, then I think you have to admit that this form of tourism is a drain on the borough budget," Barton said, asking the assembly to…