A proposal to charge the Ketchikan Shipyard property tax or an equivalent payment in lieu of taxes was postponed by the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly on Monday.
Southeast
Ketchikan borough manager calls for 10% overall budget cut, to start
Ketchikan Gateway Borough’s new manager, Ruben Duran, told the Borough Assembly Friday that he has directed borough departments to cut general fund spending by 10 percent.
Haines School enrollment down, while Skagway keeps growing
Enrollment has dropped to some of the lowest levels the Haines School District has ever seen, but in Skagway, the school is seeing a growth in student population.
Southeast land exchange bill reintroduced in Congress
Alaska’s Congressional Delegation has reintroduced a bill that would trade federal land for land owned by Alaska Mental Health Trust – including Ketchikan’s Deer Mountain.
Alaska’s warming waters could slow coral growth, impacting fish
In a study released Thursday, scientists warned about the potential impact to fish, which take refuge in thickets of coral.
Sitka’s Green Lake Dam back in service
On Jan. 7, the Green Lake dam was fully restored to service and Sitka is no longer using diesel fuel.
Juneau Assembly pushes sales tax exemption for cruise ships
The Juneau mayor’s tax initiative will certainly be welcomed by the cruise line industry which says its passengers pay nearly $8 million in sales tax while onshore in Juneau but has historically not paid sales tax for goods and services sold aboard its vessels.
Alaska Pioneer Homes escape state budget cuts, for now
When the Alaska Legislature convenes later this month, it will consider a budget that makes no further cuts to Alaska’s Pioneer Homes.
Haines mayor breaks tie vote to hire interim borough manager
Haines Public Facilities Director Brad Ryan is the new interim borough manager. It wasn’t an easy decision for the Borough Assembly Tuesday night. The assembly was split between Ryan and a retired Juneau city manager. Ultimately, the mayor broke a tie vote in favor of Ryan.
Bill would cut ferry costs, reinstate discharge rules
A Southeast lawmaker introduced a bill this week to help Alaska ferries meet state pollution-control rules. It would also exempt new ships from a law requiring a percent of construction spending go toward art.