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Assembly approves budget changes, tidelands lease, Tai Lake coordination and temporary fuel charge
Summary
At its April 20 meeting the Petersburg Borough Assembly unanimously approved Ordinance 2026-05 (FY2026 budget adjustments), Resolution 2026-11 (lease tidelands to American Cruise Lines), a joint resolution on Tai Lake coordination and a temporary fuel-adjustment charge for the SEIPA maintenance shutdown.
PETERSBURG, Alaska — The Petersburg Borough Assembly approved a package of motions and resolutions on April 20 that the borough says will address budget needs, support future waterfront operations and set short-term utility billing changes.
Ordinance and budget: The assembly approved Ordinance 2026-05, a supplemental FY2026 budget ordinance that adds federal Secure Rural Schools funds (a FY24 payment of $722,484 was referenced), elderly-housing sprinkler replacement funding, scuba equipment replacements for the fire department, and a wastewater outfall repair loan. The ordinance passed on second reading by a 6-0 vote.
Tidelands lease to cruise operator: By a 6-0 vote the assembly approved Resolution 2026-11 authorizing a lease of borough tidelands at the end of Dock Street to American Cruise Lines, Inc. for construction and use of a mooring float and gangway to support cruise operations. Members and staff said the draft lease contains several safeguards, and staff will work with ACL on permit plans and harbor coordination.
Tai Lake coordination: The assembly adopted a joint resolution (Petersburg Resolution 2026-12) with the City and Borough of Wrangle supporting coordinated use of Tai Lake hydroelectric resources. The resolution aims to ensure information-sharing and that projects that could exceed firm reservoir capacity do not shift diesel-generation burdens to the neighboring community; vote 6-0.
Temporary fuel-adjustment charge: The assembly approved a temporary fuel-adjustment charge for electric bills for kilowatt-hours billed between May 27 and June 27, 2026 to recover unanticipated diesel fuel costs during SEIPA's annual maintenance shutdown. Staff said the ordinance base diesel price used to calculate the adjustment is $3.87 per gallon but the exact surcharge will depend on final fuel prices and billed consumption; vote 6-0.
Votes at a glance (formal outcomes): - Ordinance 2026-05 (supplemental FY2026 budget): approved, vote 6-0. - Resolution 2026-11 (lease tidelands to American Cruise Lines): approved, vote 6-0. - Joint resolution supporting coordinated Tai Lake use (Petersburg 2026-12): approved, vote 6-0. - Temporary fuel-adjustment charge for SEIPA maintenance shutdown (May 27–June 27, 2026): approved, vote 6-0.
What comes next: Staff will proceed with harbor and lease permitting for the tidelands lease, continue implementation of approved budget items, coordinate with Wrangle on Tai Lake information-sharing and calculate the actual fuel- adjustment surcharge as diesel prices and billed usage are finalized.
