The Haines Borough Assembly last week unanimously agreed to contribute $10,000 to a joint effort between the state and a regional economic development organization for creation of a 25-year strategic plan for a sustainable ferry system.
Gov. Bill Walker recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Southeast Conference to draft a long-term plan for the Alaska Marine Highway, including changes to the system’s leadership structure, revenues, operations and asset deployment.
Southeast Conference is asking communities to contribute funds to the plan, which Mayor Jan Hill said is expected to cost about $350,000. Southeast Conference has been asked to raise about $100,000 of that total, she said.
Hill said the Ketchikan Gateway Borough has appealed to local businesses and along with the municipality’s own contribution has raised $29,500. The Alaska Committee ($5,000), the Inter-Island Ferry Authority ($1,000) and the City and Borough of Sitka ($5,000) have also donated, and other communities are considering it, Hill said.
Borough manager Bill Seward supported making the $10,000 donation. “By showing that we’re willing to contribute $10,000 from our community sends the message that the ferry system is in fact a critical part of our transportation network,” he said.
Assembly member George Campbell voted to spend the money, but seemed skeptical about putting funds toward another plan or study.
“As much as I support this plan, I would like us to take enough time to get with the planners of the ferry system to find out if they’ve actually got a 25-year plan sitting on the shelf before we spend money on another one,” Campbell said.
Campbell also wanted to see some kind of agreement from the state ensuring that once the plan is developed, it wouldn’t be scrapped or otherwise ignored by the future administration or legislature.
Where the $10,000 will come from won’t be certain until a budget amendment comes to the assembly, but the areawide general fund balance and economic development fund were two potential sources floated at the assembly meeting.
Chamber of Commerce executive director Debra Schnabel said the chamber has nominated Bart Henderson to serve on the statewide project’s planning committee.