Police chief regrets
Several assembly members expressed concern about the announced resignation of police chief Heath Scott. Scott announced earlier this month he would leave the position he held for seven years in late September after failing to come to an agreement on a substantial salary increase. At the assembly meeting, Gabe Thomas called Scott a personal friend. “I feel like we’re going to lose a great asset to the community and I hope that this isn’t going to lead to worse things,” said Thomas. “I saw how he’s changed the perspective of the community with the police and the interactions. Although he’s had his ups and downs — everybody does. I’m just really disappointed to see him not being rehired right now.” Scott and borough manager Annette Kreitzer declined to share details about Scott’s salary demands. He currently makes around $112,000. Kreitzer, who was away during the meeting, previously told CVN she would talk to police department staff and to assembly members before making any decision on what they’d like to see in a new chief. Assembly member Debra Schnabel said she was hoping there was still a way to keep Scott in the department. “I do share (Gabe Thomas’) concerns about the time and the cost involved in replacing chief Scott. And I just hope that he doesn’t get hired by somebody else before we have a conversation,” said Schnabel.
Correction: This story has been updated to clarify that Borough Manager Annette Kreitzer stated she would meet with assembly members to hear what they’d like to see in a new chief, not how to recruit one.
Electronic property tax exemption filing
Haines senior residents can now apply online for property tax exemptions on up to $150,000 of their assessed property. Under borough code, senior citizens qualify for exemption if they meet certain conditions, including having a gross family income of less than 135% of the federal poverty line, being eligible for the Permanent Fund dividend, and having a net worth of less than $250,000. Applications are processed by hand, which borough clerk Alekka Fullerton said can add extra time, since sometimes residents forget to fill out certain boxes. “We anticipate it will save staff time with respect to these forms because they have to be fully completed, which will keep staff from having to follow up on them,” said Fullerton. Applications for property tax exemptions are due on March 31, the same day as the Permanent Fund dividend filing deadline.
No sign up required for public testimony
Residents will be able to testify on items up for assembly vote without signing up in advance. Several weeks ago, assembly members brought up concerns that a requirement to sign up for public testimony excluded people who didn’t know rules or had other obligations that made it harder for them to plan for and sign up for their testimony. The assembly asked the clerk to review other communities’ policies on public testimony. In a report in the assembly packet, clerk Alekka Fullerton presented the results from the survey, which showed most other communities don’t require sign up. Fullerton recommended Haines remove the requirement. The assembly voted unanimously to change the rules. Public comment, which happens before assembly meetings and is not specific to assembly items, previously did not require sign up.YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: