By: Associated Press
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – A federal judge has ruled that use of fees collected by the city of Juneau from cruise ship passengers must be connected to the ship.
Coast Alaska reports the cruise industry had challenged the legality of the fees and alleged the city spends the money too freely.
U.S. District Court Judge H. Russel Holland ruled that while Juneau can keep collecting the fees, their use must constitute a service to the ship.
For example, he said a gangplank would be a service to the vessel, while sidewalk repairs and access to the public library’s internet likely would not be.
City Manager Rorie Watt says officials were reviewing the ruling.
The cruise industry welcomed Holland’s ruling.