On Tuesday, Haines Borough Assembly members considered introducing a two percent excise tax on marijuana and alcohol.
“We should allocate those funds, just so we’re not using them to plug our holes, we should also use those funds specifically for rehabilitation and enforcement for drug issues,” said assembly member Sean Maidy. “(That money) could also go towards police funding,” Maidy said, speaking to the issue of police overspending.
“I’m in favor of that. We’ve got all these places that (the revenue from excise tax) can go to, which I’m in favor of. But I don’t know maybe we should allocate about one percent of that directly do the police department,” said Prisciandaro.
“I think the police department, because they’re dealing with some of the impacts of that, should have an allocated portion of that—whatever half percent or one percent—and the rest be able to go wherever,” he said.
Assembly member Heather Lende was also in favor of the proposal, but wanted the revenue to go towards drug rehabilitation more than law enforcement. Assembly member Morphet wondered if the funds could be used for waste management, setting up trashcans for tourists in town, and waste management services in Mosquito Lake.
Morphet voted to further discuss the proposal for a two percent excise tax on marijuana and alcohol at a special finance committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. on May 29. In order for the tax to be implemented, the borough would have to approve it as a measure on the ballot.
Sales tax revenues have been on the increase since 2015. In the manager’s 2020 budget, sales and excise tax represents about 35 percent of the borough’s general revenue (not including enterprise funds), or about $3.6 million. The revenue from the tobacco excise tax, which was implemented in January 2018, has accounted for about $90,000 in revenue.