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Councilors warn of sharp local revenue shortfall if gillnet season remains closed
Summary
Council member Mike Nicholson warned the council that a likely poor gillnet season in Prince William Sound could sharply reduce local taxable income and fuel difficult budget choices, and several councilors urged preparedness for service reductions and support for residents who rely on fishing income.
Council member Mike Nicholson told colleagues the community may face a severe economic impact if the commercial gillnet season is curtailed across Prince William Sound. Nicholson described an "unprecedented" absence in the fishery and said the effects will ripple through town, reducing fuel-tax income and other revenue the city uses for services.
"This is extremely dire, and there's gonna be a lot of people that are gonna be struggling that depend on fishing for their income this year," Nicholson said, urging the council to prepare for hard choices about services and spending.
Other council members echoed the concern, noting uncertainty about whether the season will change and stressing the need to identify which services are essential and which could be suspended temporarily if revenues fall. Council members with fishing backgrounds said they would continue monitoring state fishery announcements and urged communication with affected residents.
What happens next: Councilors said staff and council will track fishery announcements and consider budget options if revenue projections deteriorate; no decisions were made at the meeting.
