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Votes at a glance: Assembly approves budget, assessment and land actions; sales-tax extension set for ballot
Summary
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly enacted multiple ordinances and resolutions July 21, including amendments to budget procedures, a $350,000 supplemental appropriation to buy land for transit use, and placing a school-capital sales-tax extension on the Oct. 7, 2025 ballot.
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly voted on several ordinances, supplemental appropriations and land actions during its July 21 meeting. Most measures passed by unanimous roll-call votes.
Highlights - Ordinance 2075 (amending KGBC 4.05.0.015 and 4.05.0.020) — Adopted as amended. The assembly amended the substitute ordinance to require the assembly resolution that defines the format and content of the budget message to also define the format and content of the borough budget document. Amendment passed 7–0; final ordinance passed 7–0.
- Ordinance 2076 (amending KGBC 4.45) — Clarifies assessment-appeal filing requirements, provisions for revised assessments following disaster or catastrophic loss and reduces the business/personal property nonfiling penalty from $200 to $100. Adopted by roll call 7–0.
- Ordinance 2077 — Supplemental appropriation of $350,000 to purchase Lot 6A-2, Herbie 2013 Subdivision (parcel used for transit vehicle staging and staff parking). Adopted by roll call 7–0. Funding will come from Land Trust Fund (with a general-fund transfer representing 80% and remaining 20% from CPV) per staff presentation.
- Ordinance 2078 — Placing a question on the Oct. 7, 2025 borough election ballot to extend a half‑percent sales tax dedicated to school capital projects for five additional years (ending Jan. 1, 2031). Assembly voted 7–0 to adopt the ordinance to place the question on the ballot. Staff reported the tax produces an estimated $3.2 million in FY2026 and funds district-wide capital projects.
- Ordinance 2079 — Rezoning (introduction only) of Lot 158B-1, Manatee Subdivision (239 Cranberry Road) from split zoning to suburban residential; introduced and set for second public hearing Aug. 4, 2025 (vote to introduce 7–0).
- Introduction of Ordinance 20 80 (transient occupancy tax change) — Assembly introduced an amendment to KGBC section 4.55.0.044.d removing the borough exemption on transient occupancy taxes charged on lodging located within the city limits; amendment passed on introduction 7–0.
Other actions - Acceptance of claims totaling $1,691,754.86 and acknowledgement of interim financial statements for March and April 2025 — approved 7–0. - Consent calendar (as amended) — adopted 7–0. Items included awards of contracts (Dawson Construction LLC for Salmon Walk extension design-build construction phase for $494,856; Merchants Credit Corporation for collection services), resolution authorizing purchase of Lot 6A-2, and review of alcohol license renewals. - Acquisition direction: Assembly directed the borough manager to enter into a purchase and sales agreement with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office for Lots 3 and 4 Block 1, Berry Patch Subdivision in the amount of $269,330.96 — passed 7–0.
Why it matters: These measures adjust borough budget procedures, clarify assessment and disaster provisions, secure land needed for transit operations and public access, and place a school-capital financing question before voters. Several items affect near-term capital spending and fund balances.
Full list of recorded motions and results (selected) - Ordinance 2075 (amendment): Passed; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no. - Ordinance 2075 (as amended): Passed; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no. - Ordinance 2076: Passed; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no. - Ordinance 2077 (supplemental appropriation $350,000): Passed; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no. - Ordinance 2078 (place ballot question to extend 0.5% sales tax): Passed; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no. - Ordinance 2079 (rezoning introduction): Introduced and set for next hearing; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no. - Approval of claims totaling $1,691,754.86: Passed; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no. - Consent calendar as amended: Passed; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no. - Purchase & sale agreement direction for Lots 3 & 4 Block 1 (Berry Patch): Passed; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no.
Next steps and follow-up - Ordinances that were introduced will return for final hearing or further action as scheduled (e.g., ordinance 2079 on Aug. 4). Staff will bring back an ordinance to add transient occupancy tax revenue to the Local Education Fund (requested on the floor; requires five votes for passage). The school capital sales-tax question will be on the Oct. 7, 2025 ballot per the adopted ordinance.
