Policing outside of the townsite could be on the October ballot once again, one year after Mud Bay, Lutak and Haines Highway voters rejected raising property taxes to create a separate police service area in their neighborhoods. On July 8, the borough’s Public Safety Commission voted 2-1 to recommend the assembly introduce an ordinance that would add […]
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Posted inLocal News, Haines Borough
Borough Briefs
Quarterly sales tax collections down Sales tax collections submitted to the Haines Borough for the first quarter of 2019 are down 3.6 percent, or $17,000, from the same quarter last year. Borough manager Debra Schnabel said the reasons for the dip are a poor heliskiing season, costing the borough about $8,000, and the borough assembly’s decision to no longer […]
Posted inLocal News, Haines Borough
Borough Briefs
Hearing set for solid waste proposal The Haines Borough Assembly introduced a taxpayer-funded solid waste management program ordinance along with a ballot measure that would increase borough sales tax by 1 percent to pay for the operation, maintenance and enforcement of the program that is estimated to cost between $350,000 to $450,000. The revenue would, in part, […]
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Governor’s vetoes hit seniors, schools
Borough manager Debra Schnabel said Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s deep cuts in public services will make living in Alaska more difficult and she expects a mass exodus from the state due to dwindling services. “I think who’s going to be hit the hardest are elderly people and families with young children,” she said. “Many of the things that […]
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Research: proposed mine tailings ordinance will not be effective
A proposed ordinance aimed at limiting storage of hazardous liquids within one mile of waterways will not meet its intended goal of regulating a mine tailings dam, according to the borough attorney and an environmental consultant. On June 26, borough manager Debra Schnabel, public facilities director Brad Ryan, assembly member Will Prisciandaro, borough attorney Brooks Chandler […]
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High bidder for harbor project complains to assembly
On June 27, borough staff recommended the assembly proceed with awarding a harbor project to low-bidder Hamilton Construction. But the assembly took no action after public facilities director Brad Ryan removed himself from further discussion following allegations against him by the losing bidder and as a former assembly member accused that same bidder of inappropriately […]
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Borough will release RFP for wood chipper
The Haines Borough Assembly has taken a step towards purchasing a wood chipper, its next move in a multi-year borough discussion about converting of public buildings from burning diesel to biomass for heating. The assembly voted unanimously June 27 to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for a wood chipper, which would be used to produce fuel […]
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Publicly funded garbage program back on the table
On Tuesday, the borough’s commerce committee revived a 2018 proposal for a publicly funded solid waste program paid for by up-to-a-1 percent sales tax increase. It will be considered at the assembly meeting next week, according to borough clerk Alekka Fullerton. In August 2018, a 3-3 tie vote by the assembly stopped the proposed waste […]
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Boat launch bids exceed funding
Bidders for the Portage Cove boat-launch project exceeded the engineer’s cost estimate by roughly $1 million, causing an executive session last week for staff and assembly members to discuss options. Southeast Roadbuilder’s Roger Schnabel bid against Hamilton Construction, a company based in Skagway. Schnabel’s bid was $173,473 higher than his competitor at $6 million. Borough […]
Posted inNews, Alaska Marine Highway System
Planning commission debates local ferry service
In the midst of deep state budget cuts to the Alaska Marine Highway System, the Haines Borough Planning Commission debated last week whether or not to support Skagway’s efforts to create a Lynn Canal ferry authority. Last month, Skagway’s Marine Highway Ad Hoc Committee hired the research firm McDowell Group to study the viability of locally governed ferry service […]