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Galilee landing fee increases boosted fund to about $140,000; fee proceeds pay local services
Summary
The Galilee Landing Fund received about $140,000 this year; the revenue derives from a per-passenger landing fee that was raised from $0.35 to $0.50 and funds local services such as constable details and solid waste costs.
Town finance staff reported a $140,000 deposit to the Galilee Landing Fund, money the town receives from the per-passenger ferry landing fee that is collected as part of ferry ticket sales. An agreement enacted years ago set a 35¢ landing fee; staff said the town successfully pursued an increase with the legislature and the fee is now 50¢, bringing an estimated additional $30,000–$35,000 in annual revenue compared with the prior rate.
The fund covers local costs tied to Galilee Landing operations: constable and police detail hours, trash removal, small maintenance items and planter/decoration costs. Finance staff said most of the constable and detail hours at the landing are paid from the landing fund rather than the general police budget.
Councilors discussed whether the landing fee should be revisited again with Block Island officials; staff said they would coordinate a joint approach to the legislature in a future session and would ask the town council to pass a supporting resolution if the council supports an additional increase.
Staff also noted an existing interlocal arrangement with Block Island and said the 50¢ rate aligns the town with New Shoreham (Block Island) and that the town would approach the legislature again if both communities agree.
