The Nome Port Commission met for their second work session of the month on Thursday to discuss changes to this year’s tariff.
At their first meeting, the commission was divided on whether they should raise rates, placing the burden on the public, or attempt to raise revenues, which would be a challenge to the port. A similar divide was apparent last night, though some commissioners suggested they do both.
Commissioner Charlie Lean urged the port look outside the box for revenue sources, like expanded parking and the addition of tie-off pylons on the east side of the harbor.
He said those options wouldn’t cost much, but would increase the areas that the port could lease out.
“We’re trying to encourage people to use the port of Nome and develop Nome as a destination and yet we have to maintain it,” Lean explained. “So, it’s a balancing act.”
Port Director Joy Baker reiterated Lean’s point.
‘We’ve got to cover our operating cost, so I think there’s a balancing act,” Baker said. “We can’t just break even.”
She said the port doesn’t want to be greedy, but that they’ve got to get out of the red. At the first work session she suggested the rates be raised by 10 percent. The commission did not come to a consensus last night. They’ll meet again next week for their regular scheduled meeting on Thursday, February 18.
