The Sitka Assembly faced a packed agenda on Tuesday night (4-14-15). But, after four hours of meeting, assembly members postponed decisions on most major issues.
The Assembly put off a discussion of whether to raise electric rates — and by how much — until a special meeting next Thursday, April 23.
A discussion on whether to fund The Ride, Sitka’s bus system, was also rescheduled for next Thursday.
And while assembly members expressed general support for finding an additional $1-million for the struggling Sitka School District, they couldn’t muster much enthusiasm for any of the specific proposals before them.
After some prodding from City Administrator Mark Gorman, the Assembly asked staff to draw up proposals to double the city’s tobacco tax, and to raise the cap on purchases subject to sales tax from $1,500 to $3,000.
But that still wasn’t quite enough, Gorman said.
“We haven’t hit the million dollar threshold,” he told Deputy Mayor Matt Hunter, as Hunter moved to adjourn. “Staff will be waiting to hear some other suggestions, and we’ll bring forward the ordinances.”
Assembly members then added a proposal to eliminate the sales tax exemption on long-term rentals.
Those options will all be discussed at the next regular Assembly meeting, on April 28.
Meanwhile, the School Board will hold a final hearing on its budget tonight (Wednesday, 4-15-15) at 7 p.m., in the Keet Gooshi Heen multipurpose room.
You can find more coverage of the Sitka Assembly here.
