Appeals to 2013 property assessments are pouring into the Haines Borough, and many concerned property owners are still seeking explanations for why their land values have soared by as much as 800 percent. State assessor Steve Van Sant fielded questions from Haines residents on April 3 during a public meeting on “mass appraisal modeling,” but could […]
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Senate budget holds $39 million for Haines
In a “lean” $2 billion capital budget recently passed by the Alaska Senate, about $39 million will go toward Haines projects. Haines’ slice of the capital budget includes: $31 million for Haines Highway reconstruction and replacement of the Wells Bridge, $5 million for replacement of the Klehini River Bridge, $2 million for airport improvements and […]
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Borough: Bigfoot towing plan inadequate
Haines Borough officials have deemed Bigfoot Auto Service’s bid to solve the town’s towing, impoundment and junked-car issues as inadequate. Bigfoot, operated by resident Paul Nelson, submitted the lone bid to the borough’s request for proposals. Manager Mark Earnest said the reason for seeking a request for proposals was to give the private sector an opportunity to […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Borough sales tax revenues in 2012 held steady
At $2.71 million, sales tax revenues to the Haines Borough in 2012 matched those of 2011, according to figures compiled recently by the municipality. Borough manager Mark Earnest had projected an increase of 1.5 percent in tax revenues when budgeting last year, an additional $48,000 in income “due largely to projected increased fuel prices.” “It doesn’t look like we’re […]
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Port Chilkoot dock bid under budget
The lowest bid for the Port Chilkoot Dock and Letnikof Harbor renovation projects is $500,000 under budget, allowing the Haines Borough to include developments it had previously eliminated for cost-cutting purposes. Seattle-based Pacific Pile & Marine said work on the projects will total $5.8 million, a half-million dollars less than the $6.3 million budget. The borough removed […]
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Assembly plans overnight trip to Skagway
Haines Borough staff and assembly members are planning an overnight trip to Skagway April 26-27 to meet with regional leaders to discuss mutual economic and transportation issues. The Skagway Borough Assembly, Juneau Borough Assembly, and Whitehorse City Council also are expected to attend the event, which was initiated by Juneau Mayor Merrill Sanford, clerk Julie Cozzi said […]
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Budget $500K in red; library, museum cuts proposed
Responding to continuing reductions in major state and federal funding sources and the potential for additional cuts, Haines Borough manager Mark Earnest proposed a handful of service and position cuts to fill a projected $500,000 hole in his $12 million draft budget for the coming year. Earnest is proposing to cut operation of the pool and museum to nine […]
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Budget hearings begin Tuesday
It’s budget season again, and the Haines Borough has set its schedule for a series of public meetings residents concerned about how the borough spends its money are welcome to attend. Manager Mark Earnest is required to submit to the assembly his six-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and proposed operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2014 no later […]
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Complaint: Incident is part of a history of abuse
Concerns about Haines Borough Police chief Gary Lowe include a Feb. 15 incident in which he allegedly screamed obscenities at an employee during a discussion about leave, and allegations that Lowe trained a Taser beam on officers’ chests on two separate occasions. Further, a letter the employee sent to assembly members March 13 alleges Lowe has a five-year history […]
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Lowe put on leave; hearing planned
Haines Borough manager Mark Earnest placed police chief Gary Lowe on paid administrative leave Tuesday, making Sgt. Simon Ford acting chief. The assembly voted unanimously Tuesday night to “as soon as possible, hire a hearing officer to facilitate an internal investigation into the complaints against the police chief and his abilities to perform his duties and supervise the police […]