The Haines Borough Assembly voted 4-2 Tuesday to extend manager Mark Earnest’s contract through July 2014 pending a “satisfactory” evaluation and a contract review. Members Debra Schnabel and Norman Smith were opposed. Dave Berry, Steve Vick, Joanne Waterman, and Jerry Lapp were in favor. Waterman introduced a motion to extend the contract at the Oct. 9 assembly meeting where Earnest revealed he would […]

A recent addition to a memo put out by Haines Borough manager Mark Earnest acknowledged the possibility of using a flat as opposed to graduated tax structure for a proposed motor vehicle registration tax. The borough finance committee discussed the flat tax option during a meeting this week. Earnest’s memo said if vehicle owners had to pay a $20 […]

Casting a tie-breaking vote, Haines Borough Mayor Stephanie Scott stopped an assembly motion Tuesday aimed at extending manager Mark Earnest’s contract through June 2014. With Scott’s vote, the assembly agreed, 4-3, to postpone the matter to Nov. 6, when Earnest has been asked to make a formal proposal. “My concern is that it’s a big decision,” Scott said. “I’m […]

The Haines Borough Assembly voted Tuesday 4-2 to introduce an ordinance that would charge heli-ski companies a $5 per skier-day fee and allow fines up to $1,000 per day for permit violations. Establishment of the fee would not be effective until the 2014 season. Under current borough law, fines are limited to $300. Members Jerry Lapp and Norm Smith voted in […]

At the urging of Mayor Stephanie Scott, the Haines Borough Assembly on Tuesday introduced an ordinance to spend $15,000 to restore the senior lunch program to four days a week. The borough contribution would provide four-day service for 10 months. The assembly also: · Approved $37,000 in funding and a revised scope for the first phase of a borough […]

The Haines Borough Assembly on a 4-2 vote Tuesday endorsed an integrated licensing process for the proposed Connelly Lake hydroelectric project. The assembly also rejected a proposal to charge harbor slip renters an additional $45 per year garbage surcharge to offset increased costs, and sent to committee an ordinance to raise water and sewer rates. Connelly Lake project developer […]

Facilities issues dominated Tuesday’s Haines Borough Assembly meeting, where members voted to explore purchase of the Elks property, seek proposals for a temporary metal roof on the Chilkat Center and pay $39,000 for the first phase of the community facility master plan. The goal of the plan is “to develop a specific capital improvement plan for how […]

The Haines Borough Assembly last week reconsidered plans to proceed with the sale of lots formerly occupied by the primary school on Main Street. Assembly members will discuss the old school property at their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 26, following a public hearing. “The closeness of the vote, both with the planning commission and with the […]