Petersburg Borough Assembly unanimously approved several changes to the borough’s finances at their meeting on Monday (June 1). That included passing the borough’s annual budget, a 4% increase to electric rates, and a $3 increase to marine passenger fees.
The budget for the next fiscal year begins on July 1 and runs until June 30, 2027. It includes spending just over $14 million from the general fund.
Assembly member Bob Martin said the budget wasn’t an easy decision. He said residents aren’t happy with the borough asking for more money to cover rising costs, while residents’ own costs are going up.
“The rates are going up for utilities, the taxes, tax assessments have gone up, and we’ve got to admit that’s part of the reason the budget is balanced,” Martin said.
Assembly member Rob Schwartz agreed, saying he’s also heard from concerned residents.
“I’m getting an awful lot of input on this one,” he said. “Yeah, we’ll balance the budget, but we’re going to increase everything, and I said it before, and I’ll say it again. A lot of people are feeling the noose tighten.”
Martin said he’d like the public to be more involved in the budget process next time, bringing more suggestions to the table.
“We’ve had very little specific help from the public in going through this process,” Martin said. “I hope I can do a better job next year. I’m going to vote yes, but I really need help with specific things that you’re willing to cut.”
The per-passenger fee increase approved by the assembly targets cruise ship visitors. The borough says the increase from $5 to $8 is needed to address the rising costs of services that are impacted by tourists, including public safety, harbor operations, sanitation, and emergency response.
The 4% increase in Petersburg’s electric rates applies to all customers across the board. It means residential rates are going up from 12.2 cents per kilowatt-hour to 12.7 cents per kilowatt-hour. And the surcharge is rising by 64 cents. The borough requested the rate increase for Petersburg Municipal Power and Light to cover expenses and inflation.
