Borough Assembly delays vote on sales tax ordinance

The Mat-Su Borough will wait at least two weeks before deciding whether to put an area-wide sales tax on the November ballot.

At the beginning of last night’s Assembly meeting, Borough Mayor Vern Halter stated his intent to hold a second hearing on August 20^th. If approved by the Assembly and voters, the proposal would levy a two-percent sales tax throughout the entire borough.

Many borough residents still turned out to speak on the tax proposal, with none speaking in favor of it.  While the ordinance’s stated purpose is to offer property tax relief, multiple speakers expressed distrust that future assemblies would follow through on that intent language. 

Other arguments against the sales tax include the additional cost to consumers and businesses, and a general opposition to taxation in general. 

Mayors Bert Cottle of Wasilla and Virgie Thompson of Houston also spoke against the tax proposal.  Both of their cities already have sales taxes in place.  The Talkeetna Sewer and Water District also pays a sales tax.

There half a dozen amendments submitted for the tax proposal.  None of them were debated last night, and the Assembly did not discuss the ordinance.

Also during last night’s meeting, the Assembly approved the creation of a fund that would provide a tax credit to property owners in the event that the state pays some of the school bond debt reimbursement funds previously vetoed by Governor Mike Dunleavy.   

The next meeting of the Mat-Su Borough Assembly is scheduled for Tuesday, August 20^th at 6:00 pm in the Assembly Chambers in Palmer.  Borough Assembly meetings are streamed by Big Cabbage Radio at Radio Free Palmer DOT org.