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

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.