The Haines Borough may offer an early retirement incentive program to its employees in order to recoup some of the lost funding from state and federal sources. The assembly voted Tuesday to forward the draft program plan to the Government Services Committee and Finances Committee for review. The program would be available to employees who have worked […]
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Posted inNews, Elections
Election ballot likely to change
The push to change local election procedures continues with the Haines Borough Assembly still split down the middle on whether to switch from a seat system to a roster-style ballot. Mayor Stephanie Scott has repeatedly broken ties between the assembly members on whether to advance the ordinance which would make the change. Members Debra Schnabel, Joanne Waterman and Norm Smith have consistently voted for […]
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Borough to estimate cost of buried wires
During a special meeting convened Friday, the Haines Borough Assembly directed manager Mark Earnest to research cost estimates for burying power lines near the intersection of Front Street and the Old Haines Highway. Assembly members Norm Smith, Joanne Waterman and Steve Vick called the special meeting to discuss what Smith called the “power pole debacle.” Alaska Power and Telephone recently relocated several large power […]
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Budget: $12.2 million, reduction in tax rates
On a 4-2 vote, the Haines Borough Assembly approved its $12.2 million spending plan for the coming year Tuesday, including a reduction in the property tax rate inside and outside the townsite. Townsite landowners will pay 10.17 mills under the new budget, down from 10.79 mills last year. The base property tax rate outside the townsite was […]
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Manager contract talk heats up
Discussion of Haines Borough Manager Mark Earnest’s contract became heated Monday, prompting an assembly member to request police presence at the personnel committee meeting due to an “unruly” audience. Seven residents spoke at the meeting, with their complaints ranging from Earnest’s “ridiculous” amount of leave time to his perceived mishandling of borough issues. Annie Boyce voiced concerns […]
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Assistant conflict issue to get attorney review
Haines Borough Manager Mark Earnest said he is consulting with the borough attorney on whether assistant to the manager Darsie Culbeck’s employment with a mining firm constitutes a conflict of interest. Assembly member Steve Vick raised the issue at Tuesday’s assembly meeting and said it would probably be prudent to have Earnest check with borough attorney Brooks Chandler about […]
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Effort looks at trapping rules in other towns
The Haines Borough Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee is moving forward with plans to regulate trapping in the townsite and will start by researching high-use areas where trappers and recreationists tend to collide. Ron Jackson, vice chair of the committee, said the group is trying to stimulate discussion about areas that might need protection from trapping. Jackson […]
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Earnest contract talk Monday
The Haines Borough Personnel Committee will meet at 1 p.m. Monday to discuss manager Mark Earnest’s contract. The assembly voted at its Jan. 22 meeting to forward Earnest’s contract to the committee for review, after voting to give Earnest a “satisfactory” evaluation and extend his contract until June 2014. Assembly members Joanne Waterman, Steve Vick and Norm Smith comprise the personnel committee. […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Cozzi: Election change can’t happen this year
Though Haines Borough Assembly member Debra Schnabel said she is pushing to get a change in election procedures in place for the October municipal election, but clerk Julie Cozzi said such a goal is impossible. Even if the election ordinance passes according to schedule – it is set for a first public hearing Tuesday and adoption June 25 – […]
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Budget amended for museum, pool
The Haines Borough Assembly Tuesday approved changes to the manager’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year, including keeping the pool open year-round and increasing funding to the Sheldon Museum. The assembly also voted for the manager to provide a revised budget reflecting a combined 8 percent cut to the library, administration, finance and assessment/land management departments. […]