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Bristol Bay Borough Assembly adopts fisheries tax renewal, 5% port tariff hike and new minor-offense code
Summary
At its Feb. 2 meeting in King Salmon, the Bristol Bay Borough Assembly voted to remove the sunset on the fisheries business tax, adopt a 5% tariff increase for the Port of Bristol Bay, and approve a minor-offense fine schedule and taxi-license rule changes; public hearings were held and several donations and taxicab permits were also approved.
The Bristol Bay Borough Assembly on Feb. 2 adopted a package of ordinances that will keep the local fisheries business tax in place, raise Port of Bristol Bay tariffs by 5% and create a minor-offense fine schedule for administrative disposition of certain code violations.
Mayor Dave Blunt opened public hearings and the assembly moved, seconded and approved the measures after brief discussion. Assembly members said the fisheries business tax renewal (Ordinance 20-26-o1) removes a sunset clause and ensures continued local revenue; an assembly member argued the move was prudent so the borough 'maintain that fish tax' and capture needed revenue. Attorney Joe Levesque confirmed the ordinance did not require a public vote to remain in effect.
Manager James Wilson and other members discussed the Port tariff increase (Ordinance 20-26-o2), with staff describing prior practice and the variability of barge fuel volumes. Wilson said the last barge was roughly 1,000,000 gallons and a typical delivery range can be 800,000–900,000 gallons; the 5% increase was described by staff as consistent with periodic adjustments. After members questioned potential marketplace reactions, the assembly approved the 5% tariff increase.
The assembly also adopted Ordinance 20-26-o3 to establish a minor-offense fine schedule allowing certain violations to be handled administratively. Chief/manager-level staff described this as an administrative and educational step to permit enforcement and potential local recovery of fines under borough code; the intent, staff said, was not to budget large revenue but to provide a mechanism for addressing nuisance or regulatory issues.
The assembly adopted Ordinance 20-26-o4, amending taxi and for-hire vehicle licensing rules; staff noted application timing and the requirement that operators reapply annually.
Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 20-26-o1 (renew fisheries business tax): adopted (motion carried; roll-call vocal yeas recorded as 'aye'). - Ordinance 20-26-o2 (Port tariff 5% increase): adopted (motion carried after discussion of port volumes and historic adjustments). - Ordinance 20-26-o3 (minor-offense fine schedule): adopted (assembly emphasized education and administrative enforcement). - Ordinance 20-26-o4 (taxicab licensing amendments): adopted.
The meeting also cleared routine business: the FY24 audit is near completion and staff will schedule a formal presentation, two taxicab applications were approved following police review, and donations were authorized for WinterFest and a community candy drop. The assembly scheduled a March public hearing on a proposed local-option marijuana ordinance (Ordinance 20-26-o7) and introduced an update to the animal code (Ordinance 20-26-o8) for later hearings.
The assembly directed the manager to research Donaghy Subdivision zoning and to prepare marijuana licensing/taxation options in case a local vote passes. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
