[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6539632,"mediaKeyId","3633290-6bf510cf22badac36f81030ac5789e9b","parentId",3633290,"title","Petersburg assembly adopts FY2026 budget, approves $1M harbor appropriation for potential ACL dock amid debate","audioSeconds",1565,"startMs",2284000,"endMs",3849000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633290-6bf510cf22badac36f81030ac5789e9b&start=2284&end=3849","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633290-6bf510cf22badac36f81030ac5789e9b/thumbnail_2284000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6539632/Petersburg-Borough/Alaska/Petersburg-assembly-adopts-FY2026-budget-approves-1M-harbor-appropriation-for-potential-ACL-dock-amid-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539632-b366e3070cb7cc04d4e2c6708f8db31a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771094633&Signature=OLOW6fI-QPOnghPO4VPKOP8Nx-bWVJ130wiJ5YVDOZ0nTjiaznX3r9gBl4iuKiIcUSU5a4w~ALsagxuT8~qtiCi8SF0NQwp9~4FNPUf-3nIYrLgbEbyi~NcLF7xP2PfsT3Q5ne8FEs-J~qfePy59ouvg1OUFOb7wVWipM-V8TnRdVGSXCO1dxr1BuMgl47fxkWY0BzkwkDHuHWwwjKYDCu~XMvpQCMUdAvkKBZuL-fVEM7R6DfwS2pT24~g-sPZH2H-1clpNy7-YTKIzo1ui3ZfPNmzYkmyMTSwKPnXIiXCbKrpZ1iuNeORfKblXuMZN5-dnDbb9Xl9Xpnx-ylHZDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Petersburg Borough","date","2025-06-03T01:00:23.943Z","article","The Petersburg Borough Assembly adopted its fiscal year 2025–26 budget on June 2, 2025, approving an appropriation of $1,000,000 from the Harbor Enterprise Fund for a possible contribution to a cruise-ship dock project proposed by American Cruise Lines (ACL). The assembly approved the budget, including the harbor appropriation, by a 5–2 roll-call vote. The ordinance (20 25 0 5) requires that no funds be spent under the appropriation until the assembly approves a written agreement with ACL.

The appropriation and the process for negotiating with ACL drew public comment and extensive discussion. Bob Barton identified himself as chair of the Harbor Board but spoke for himself, telling the assembly he supports a dedicated cruise dock but questioned using harbor reserve money—funds generated largely from the commercial fishing fleet—to subsidize tourism. \"If you cannot come up with a plan to replace this reserve money, then I think you have to admit that this form of tourism is a drain on the borough budget,\" Barton said, asking the assembly to commit to collecting $1,000,000 from cruise tourism revenue to replenish the harbor reserve.

Assembly members debated funding sources and protections. Member Don Marsh objected to using harbor reserves—money he described as coming from the fishing industry—and proposed an amendment to shift the appropriation to the economic development fund; that amendment failed for lack of a second. Supporters said the budget language limits spending until a negotiated agreement returns to the assembly. Member Steenbrenner (assembly member) said he was comfortable because \"no funds may be spent under this appropriation without the assembly's approval of a written agreement,\" giving the manager negotiation authority but preserving assembly approval for any commitment.

During budget debate the assembly approved a separate amendment (4–3) to spend up to $6,000 from the property development fund to pay Hirai and Associates for revised concept drawings for the Papaleas Landing facility (referred to in some comments as Pappke's Landing). Member Lynn moved that amendment and it was seconded for discussion; it passed on a 4–3 roll call. The amendment also called for a committee led by Member Lynn and the borough manager to coordinate with the engineer and Alaska Department of Transportation, with possible future funding from the Dingell-Johnson (Federal Sport Fish Restoration) program if pursued.

Finance director Jody Tao provided fund balances and context in response to questions: the property development fund held approximately $734,000 in cash; the economic development fund showed about $4.6 million in reserves as of April, and certain items already budgeted from those funds include $651,000 for the Aquatic Center sewer project and $70,000 for the Banana Point breakwater project. Tao and other staff explained that some enterprise and internal-service funds show expenditures higher than annual revenues in the budget because those funds use existing reserves for one-time capital purchases (for example, fleet replacement through the motor-pool internal-service fund).

Roll-call outcome on the adopted budget ordinance (20 25 0 5) was recorded as: Members Stanton Gregor — yes; Newman — yes; Schwartz — yes; Lynn — yes; Valentine — yes; Marsh — no; Mayor Jensen — no. The amendment to fund revised Papaleas Landing concept drawings (move up to $6,000 from the property development fund) passed 4–3; the assembly recorded the amendment as passing but individual roll-call names for the amendment were provided during the meeting record.

Assembly members and staff said multiple paths remain before any harbor construction or borough contribution occurs. The appropriation sets aside funds contingent on a written agreement; any final funding or reimbursements would be subject to further assembly review and approval.

What happens next: the manager was directed (by prior motion included in the budget amendment language) to contact ACL to explore design options, terms and a financial plan; the manager is to return to the assembly with a proposed plan if ACL and borough staff find common ground. No borough funds will be released until the assembly approves a written agreement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6 2 2025 Assembly Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Petersburg Borough Assembly adopted its fiscal year 2025–26 budget June 2, 2025, including a $1,000,000 appropriation from the Harbor Enterprise Fund for a potential American Cruise Lines dock; the assembly voted 5–2 and required a written agreement before any funds are spent.","taxTitle","Petersburg Borough, Alaska","taxId",14865,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6539620,"Votes at a glance: Assembly approves utility, rate and millage measures; several ordinances pass unanimously",358,3858000,4216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633290-6bf510cf22badac36f81030ac5789e9b&start=3858&end=4216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633290-6bf510cf22badac36f81030ac5789e9b/thumbnail_3858000.jpg","/articles/6539620/Petersburg-Borough/Alaska/Votes-at-a-glance-Assembly-approves-utility-rate-and-millage-measures-several-ordinances-pass-unanimously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539620-0adb82af70062f7b52395e7a33288683/orig.mp4?Expires=1771094633&Signature=VVA~G6DFtmpdm56fYbGGLeB1iSx0DjiprJW~cJ-OGZB5lAAjC~ymC~EXxrFHia8gwBdZcUZjcIIRUXpP90xl91E3ArFNqj8JxQRBOEZGtay73ECOEigO255es4E8jeL1poSWs1wW1~kNYuD3l1KRhLZYkRTp-jmHla7pEDMn45aAaqF7xHp3e01LVxido6hGfC~EYYHMikPzI6nm4PFhYQ-R2Nff9EPjZUso~AxpIRVHRcAVwUfnoauft3w906bcBpdjdwTf4jp6p66FzxwuCAcsm4KNCZMziikSZCeCy~crShjauPrQFct43iZ5nOQ0BWW7RMfvD7Y8QNGujAcLGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Petersburg Borough Assembly considered several ordinances and a millage resolution on June 2, 2025. Most measures passed with unanimous roll-call votes. Highlights:

- Ordinance 20 25 0 7 (Electric Utility code update) — Passed in second reading unanimously. The ordinance updates chapter 14.16 of the municipal code concerning the electric utility.

- Ordinance 20 25 0 8 (Water rate schedule and fees) — Passed in second reading unanimously after questions about testing and lab capacity; assembly members noted other municipalities face similar testing challenges.

- Ordinance 20 25 0 9 (Sewer collection rates) — Passed in second reading unanimously.

- Ordinance 20 25 –10 (Marine passenger ship refuse fee) — Passed in second reading unanimously.

- Resolution 20 25 –11 (Millage rates for FY2025–26) — Assembly adopted the millage rates as presented; the total for Service Area 1 (area-wide) was set at 10.8 mills, an increase of 0.8 mills from the prior year (10.0 mills). The assembly recorded the resolution as passing unanimously.

All roll-call outcomes and ordinance numbers are recorded in the official minutes and on the borough website. The assembly noted that rate and fee changes reflect operational costs and regulatory testing requirements; staff affirmed ongoing coordination with other communities where appropriate.","On June 2 the Petersburg Borough Assembly approved multiple ordinances and a millage resolution in second readings; most measures passed unanimously and set utility rates, refuse fees and the borough millage for FY2026.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6539624,"Petersburg Medical Center reports high inpatient census, aging infrastructure and Medicaid uncertainty to assembly",541,824000,1365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633290-6bf510cf22badac36f81030ac5789e9b&start=824&end=1365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633290-6bf510cf22badac36f81030ac5789e9b/thumbnail_824000.jpg","/articles/6539624/Petersburg-Borough/Alaska/Petersburg-Medical-Center-reports-high-inpatient-census-aging-infrastructure-and-Medicaid-uncertainty-to-assembly","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539624-84f9c881dfb1b621580fc788c8d4aeb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771094633&Signature=FRDhIoD64kri5Cgh0Uv3ABynrzNWspmxsAkUqK998cPwVk7M-6c2mYjBXWpAa6tXJr8fVXQWYmfgRJzW6VPt9Ni~bv2BoyU1f406~J-5oj12F1LUYzuE7tAh2mqTHxA7j~DltH4qsGZlEIzGNa9Uhw1zIl5rpr63SfZLtJjdDQwE1o~w66C0nAU8JSFY5EG5IUevhIRWwMVLZ3AvoCa7C1VyKhPmzZNFgXt35i9bWVwcFEFPSEUQLC1RvR3hX1H-oywb41rgCRIcMwycB56kJbBJiUN50KmDmPrXI5XaAXUK7Xlw~IGr3i0WV9gnMf7mKmcmBrpHCKgmw0IMzwn3Iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Phil Hofstetter, chief executive officer of Petersburg Medical Center (PMC), updated the Petersburg Borough Assembly on June 2 that PMC is experiencing some of the highest inpatient and rehabilitation census levels the hospital has seen in recent years and that its long-term-care facility is at or near full capacity.

Hofstetter said PMC completed an emergency water-valve replacement that required a planned shutdown from about 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.; facilities staff froze pipe sections at each end to avoid collateral damage when water service was restored. He said staff obtained internal images of pipe interiors showing heavy scaling and that the hospital will share those images with the assembly on request. \"It was a pretty major project and it went successfully,\" Hofstetter said.

On capacity, Hofstetter said the inpatient swing bed and rehabilitation program are at historic peaks and the long-term-care unit is fully staffed and fully occupied much of the time. When asked by assembly members, Hofstetter said the facility has 15 long-term-care beds; some rooms are double-occupancy and cannot always be fully counted as individual beds in practice. He said the majority of long-term-care residents are covered by Medicaid.

Hofstetter said PMC had brought patient billing (accounts receivable) work in-house after problems with outside vendors. That change is producing measurable results: despite increased volumes, accounts-receivable totals are declining, and patient billing inquiries are handled locally.

Hofstetter also reported on his recent trip to Washington, D.C., representing PMC and the Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association; he said the association is tracking proposed federal changes and state-level proposals that could tighten Medicaid eligibility and redetermination requirements. He said the principal concern is potential changes to work-eligibility requirements and recurring eligibility redeterminations, which could reduce Medicaid coverage for expansion populations and increase pressure on rural providers. Hofstetter said he was told proposed changes would likely not affect elderly long-term-care populations in the same way but that the assembly should monitor developments.

Assembly members asked questions about the composition of the long-term-care census and whether residents are primarily local; Hofstetter replied they are local to Petersburg. Members also asked about bed capacity in the planned new facility and whether the design should be revisited to provide more long-term-care capacity; Hofstetter said the phased new-facility approach gives the borough time to revisit design and funding before incurring local debt.

No formal action was taken; the update was received as information.","PMC CEO Phil Hofstetter told the assembly the facility is experiencing unusually high inpatient and long-term-care census, completed an emergency valve replacement, documented substantial pipe scaling, and is monitoring potential Medicaid redetermination changes at the state level.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6539629,"Assembly approves ballot measure to limit senior sales-tax exemption to low-income seniors after public hearing",3749,139000,3888000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633290-6bf510cf22badac36f81030ac5789e9b&start=139&end=3888","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633290-6bf510cf22badac36f81030ac5789e9b/thumbnail_139000.jpg","/articles/6539629/Petersburg-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-approves-ballot-measure-to-limit-senior-sales-tax-exemption-to-low-income-seniors-after-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539629-d6d37af9689de7782aa32e4cab4f3cd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771094633&Signature=RXYc0sccfgAOWih63iEWbBn2sENk2B5S8n~Y7jkVPkOHZjrqh3hZSsjiLZdcH55GYuPgxD2HYxXFEUxpA3c6-M4dNEvj~sY7tawWU8uJcvLmw2OwZfe4v2yT3JGxvyYqjf91j5NQHjjMrxJuF9o3HxwHD4lvZ2z5FC~AcdHCXkAyH2x89u4FCdCDK5YrbRwovmhIPq1~uo3N5k6P3hxavqquaIrYmt0QN8BzFf3EVVfRcxZdltursZXyvJivoAQH1WYnFkcA44UOmYMGvBHGBp9YR8v-3YE~d4zfZjjA5x2o9C-Glu-2FNux9dYV8EWGGecfoOhr3EbDVlIQWqFFZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Petersburg Borough Assembly voted unanimously in its second reading on June 2, 2025, to send an ordinance to the ballot that would amend Petersburg Municipal Code section 4.28.130 to limit the sales-tax exemption for seniors to low-income seniors. The ordinance (20 25 0 6) directs that the proposed code amendment be submitted to the qualified voters of the borough.

Two members of the public spoke during the ordinance's public hearing. Liz Bacon, speaking for herself, said she supports the proposed change but urged the assembly to provide accommodation for people at the margin of income eligibility. Bacon noted that a single person relying on Social Security and the Permanent Fund dividend could be pushed out of eligibility by a Social Security cost-of-living increase and then become ineligible for SNAP or Medicaid—programs some residents rely on to pay Medicare Part B premiums. She also raised concerns about state staffing and the difficulty of applying for state benefits, asking the borough to consider policies to address extenuating circumstances.

Roseanne Plew, also speaking for herself, said she had not heard about the change before reading the ordinance and urged the borough to improve outreach so affected residents understand the proposal before the election.

Assembly members thanked the public commenters and proceeded with the second-reading vote. The ordinance passed in its second reading by a unanimous roll-call vote. The assembly chair reiterated that the municipal process requires three readings for an ordinance to change code and that the vote advances the measure to the ballot for voter decision.

The ordinance references Petersburg Municipal Code section 4.28.130. The assembly did not specify the exact low-income threshold in the meeting transcript; the ordinance as discussed directs the amendment language to appear on the ballot for qualified voters to decide.","The Petersburg Borough Assembly advanced an ordinance to the ballot that would limit the municipal sales-tax exemption for seniors to low-income seniors; the assembly approved the ordinance in its second reading after public comment urging clarity on eligibility and outreach.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Petersburg assembly adopts FY2026 budget, approves $1M harbor appropriation for potential ACL dock amid debate

Votes at a glance: Assembly approves utility, rate and millage measures; several ordinances pass unanimously

Petersburg Medical Center reports high inpatient census, aging infrastructure and Medicaid uncertainty to assembly

Assembly approves ballot measure to limit senior sales-tax exemption to low-income seniors after public hearing