Len Anderson, KSKA – Anchorage
Anchorage’s Mayor ended up getting a budget that will not increase property taxes up to the cap, and Assembly members last night succeeded in restoring some items Mayor Dan Sullivan had cut – as they passed a $435 million spending plan for next year. One bus route was cancelled. One library will be shut down. The budget reduces the number of positions on the city’s payroll, and the increase from last year is offset somewhat by an increase in the tobacco tax. Assembly members were successful in restoring some of Sullivan’s cuts.
Ernie Hall of West Anchorage was all for keeping the property tax increase to a minimum, given the current economic climate.
All in all the Assembly restored about a third of a million dollars to the budget, in addition to the 3-point-2 million dollars restored by the administration after the tobacco tax increase went through.
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