Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Passenger Fee Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Assembly opens passenger‑fee budget to public comment; staff recommends paid visitor services and enhanced crossing guards
Summary
Director Pierce sent the manager's passenger‑fee proposal to public comment, highlighting paid visitor‑center staffing, an enhanced crossing‑guard program, modest funding requests for Juneau Mountain Rescue, and capital priorities such as seawalk repairs and downtown restroom/shelter projects.
The Assembly Finance Committee put the manager’s proposed passenger‑fee budget out for a month of public comment beginning the day after the April 1 meeting, with staff urging attention to visitor services, crossing guards, and waterfront capital projects.
Director Alex Pierce told the committee the settlement agreement that governs passenger‑fee funds requires zoning‑based spending decisions and limits some uses, but within that framework staff recommended increasing paid visitor‑center staffing because volunteer coverage has declined and inconsistent volunteer schedules forced temporary visitor center closures last season. Pierce said paid staffing would better meet visitor needs in zone A (the area immediately around the docks) and that other ports use paid staff for similar services.
Pierce also highlighted a crossing‑guard program run by a new contractor (JDC) that requested an additional ~$39,000 to cover full staffing and equipment. Staff recommended funding the more robust crossing‑guard option and noted a contingency/profit line in the budget that could address equipment requests.
Juneau Mountain Rescue submitted a request (~$20,000) to offset personnel costs after several high‑effort rescues involving cruise passengers; staff recommended funding personnel costs but left equipment funding for Assembly consideration.
On capital, staff flagged a waterfront restroom and shelter project that would provide more restroom capacity and covered waiting areas downtown; docks and harbors is pursuing additional outreach on the project before a final staff recommendation. Staff also noted seawalk repairs and continued CWAC (cruise‑related waterfront) system work as top capital priorities.
Pierce reminded members that the final decision on passenger‑fee expenditures rests with the Assembly, and that several items in the packet were intended as one‑time funding or had been treated as one‑time in prior years (private docks restroom/security support, downtown ambassadors). The passenger‑fee packet will be discussed in detail on May 6 after the public comment period closes, and staff will return with any revisions informed by public input.
The committee also confirmed the FY25 audit completion and scheduled audit presentation for June, and noted upcoming budget calendar deadlines for April and May.
