The commission may charge a reasonable fee to each vessel arriving in ballast or carrying cargo of any kind. It may also charge for each copy of any certificate issued by it or its deputies for inspecting hatches, surveying cargoes, and the like. The master of each vessel shall, however, be furnished free one copy of all surveys upon his vessel or cargo. The commission may, when necessary, levy annually an ad valorem tax not to exceed two and one-half mills on the dollar on the property subject to taxation situated in the district when authorized to do so by a majority of the qualified electors of the district voting in an election held for that purpose in accordance with law. All funds derived under this Section shall be used to defray the administrative, operative, and maintenance expenses of the board. The commission may likewise borrow money for the said purpose from time to time and issue certificates of indebtedness secured by any fees authorized under this Section and by any taxes authorized under this Section provided that such indebtedness shall in no year exceed the estimated revenues for such year.
La. Navigation and Shipping § 34:1959