The Port and Harbor Advisory Committee will consider changes to harbor moorage rates, boat-launch fees and the port tariff, among other charges that generate revenue for the borough’s harbor fund, committee members said at a May 26 meeting.

The committee didn’t propose specific changes at the meeting but members said they would plan to review fee schedules this summer. The current schedules are set to expire in the next year or two.

Among the rates committee members said might increase are annual boat-launch ramp permits, currently $60 per year (for one trailer); annual moorage fees, which start at $700 and increase per foot for boats over 25 feet; the $50 charge for using harbor crane; and miscellaneous fees, like upland storage and hazardous waste disposal.

Committee members also said they would update the borough’s port tariff, which was set in 2019 and extends through 2023.

“This is not going to be a quick, easy fix at this meeting, but it’s time to open these up and start reviewing our tariffs,” said committee chair Diana Lapham.

The port tariff includes wharfage rates at Lutak and docking and water-use fees at Port Chilkoot. Under the current schedule the rates increase automatically by a small percentage each year.

Members didn’t discuss specifics about the tariff. They said they would study the current rates before the committee’s next meeting.

“I imagine it’s going to be a big portion of the summer that we’ll be visiting these fee schedules and discussing what changes we want to see in the coming years,” harbormaster Shawn Bell. “They’re due overall to refresh your minds with what we’re charging and any updates that we need to make,” said.

Bell said current rates have generated enough revenue for the borough to cover daily operating expenses for its ports and harbors but not enough to pay for serious capital improvements.

Committee member Norman Hughes suggested considering an increase to boat-launch ramp fees to cover the cost of maintaining the new ramp at the Small Boat Harbor.

“We have a great facility. We want people to use it. We want people to be respectful of it. And I think it (needs) fees reflective of that,” Hughes said.

The boat ramp launch fee — $15 per day or $60 per year for the first trailer, $30 for second, third and fourth trailers and $60 for each one additional one — allows use across all the borough’s ramps.

Borough manager Annette Kreitzer said tracking individual operating and maintenance costs for each ramp wouldn’t necessarily be worth the added administrative costs.

The moorage rate schedule begins Oct. 1. The port tariff aligns with the calendar year. Changes proposed by the harbor committee will have to be approved by the borough assembly before taking effect.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for June 23 at 10:30 a.m.