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Public can comment on draft recommendations for Marine Passenger Fee proceeds

January 18, 2018 – News, Notices for Public Comment

The City Manager’s recommendations on how to allocate Marine Passenger Fee (MPF) proceeds are now available. The public has through Feb. 16 to provide comment on the recommendations.

Based on projected passenger numbers, the amount of revenue from the CBJ Marine Passenger Fee in fiscal year 2019 is anticipated to be $5.75 million. The funds come from a $5 per cruise ship passenger tax, and are used for projects that enhance the tourism experience and offset community impacts created by the cruise ship industry, including use of emergency services, transportation and recreation infrastructure. Federal law requires that any project funded with these fees must address both the safety and accessibility of cruise ship passengers.

In December, CBJ solicited project proposals from city departments and the public, including businesses and the visitor industry, to be funded with MPF proceeds. The City Manager is recommending 29 operating, grant and capital funding allocations. They include additional Juneau Police Department foot and bike patrol, six seasonal EMTs, Downtown Street Improvements, and extra cleaning and litter/garbage removal on downtown sidewalks.

Submit comments on the recommendations by February 16, 2018 to [email protected] or the City Manager’s Office, attention Susan Phillips, 155 S. Seward Street, Juneau, Alaska 99801. All Marine Passenger Fee project proposals and comments will be forwarded along with the City Manager’s recommendation list to the Assembly Finance Committee for review, and then to the Assembly for consideration during the upcoming budget cycle.

More information about the Marine Passenger Fee program, including project proposals from previous years, can be found on the City Manager’s website, under Special Projects.

For more information, contact Executive Assistant Susan Phillips in the City Manager’s Office at 586-5240 or [email protected].