Petersburg assembly advances harbor fee increases; fishermen ask for alternatives
February 05, 2026 | Petersburg Borough, Alaska
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The Petersburg Borough Assembly on Feb. 2 advanced Ordinance 2026-03, which amends Chapter 14.2 (Municipal Harbors) to increase harbor, moorage and related user fees effective March 1, 2026.
During the public hearing portion, commercial fishermen and harbor users urged the assembly and harbor staff to seek alternatives before shifting more costs to users. Anthony Tyber, a commercial harvester who testified in person, said rising inflation, labor costs and utilities have created a heavy burden for the fleet and asked the borough to explore other revenue or service adjustments rather than increasing rates. “The fishing industry…is being eaten alive,” Tyber said, urging the harbor and borough to re-examine enterprise-fund status and collaboration with the city.
Why it matters: Harbors are essential to Petersburg’s economy and a primary infrastructure for many residents’ livelihoods. Even modest fee increases can have outsized effects on commercial operators already facing tight margins.
Assembly response and process: Several assembly members acknowledged the fishermen’s concerns but said the harbor board and staff considered cost drivers and recommended adjustments; the ordinance package also included changes to parking and other fees. Member Martin said he supported the ordinance but encouraged early input on budget alternatives and potential service reductions to avoid repeated mid-cycle increases.
Next steps: The ordinance passed its second reading on Feb. 2 and will proceed to the remaining readings required by ordinance adoption rules; harbor staff and the assembly encouraged residents with ideas to meet with department staff to propose service reductions or alternatives.
Representative quotes: “I appreciate Anthony Tiber’s testimony…we should get to it early if you want to suggest budget cuts,” Assemblymember Martin said. Anthony Tyber: “Knocking on the door of the fishing fleet to fund extra cost at the harbor level is just not doable for a lot of us.”
The assembly followed up other agenda items and recessed later in the evening for a scheduled executive-session item on the borough manager’s evaluation.
During the public hearing portion, commercial fishermen and harbor users urged the assembly and harbor staff to seek alternatives before shifting more costs to users. Anthony Tyber, a commercial harvester who testified in person, said rising inflation, labor costs and utilities have created a heavy burden for the fleet and asked the borough to explore other revenue or service adjustments rather than increasing rates. “The fishing industry…is being eaten alive,” Tyber said, urging the harbor and borough to re-examine enterprise-fund status and collaboration with the city.
Why it matters: Harbors are essential to Petersburg’s economy and a primary infrastructure for many residents’ livelihoods. Even modest fee increases can have outsized effects on commercial operators already facing tight margins.
Assembly response and process: Several assembly members acknowledged the fishermen’s concerns but said the harbor board and staff considered cost drivers and recommended adjustments; the ordinance package also included changes to parking and other fees. Member Martin said he supported the ordinance but encouraged early input on budget alternatives and potential service reductions to avoid repeated mid-cycle increases.
Next steps: The ordinance passed its second reading on Feb. 2 and will proceed to the remaining readings required by ordinance adoption rules; harbor staff and the assembly encouraged residents with ideas to meet with department staff to propose service reductions or alternatives.
Representative quotes: “I appreciate Anthony Tiber’s testimony…we should get to it early if you want to suggest budget cuts,” Assemblymember Martin said. Anthony Tyber: “Knocking on the door of the fishing fleet to fund extra cost at the harbor level is just not doable for a lot of us.”
The assembly followed up other agenda items and recessed later in the evening for a scheduled executive-session item on the borough manager’s evaluation.
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