Council to start 2014 budget planning

The Ketchikan City Council meets in special session Thursday to jump start the city’s 2014 budget planning.

This year, the Council increased property taxes by a half-mill, bringing it to 6.7 mills. In addition, some business property within city limits was reassessed at a higher level, thus increasing the tax value.

The increase in assessments wasn’t factored in when the Council voted on the mill rate hike, and the city estimates it will collect about $260,000 more than originally thought.

Also tomorrow Thursday, the Council will hear a presentation by OceansAlaska.

The special meeting starts at 7 p.m. in City Council chambers. Public comment will be heard at the start of the meeting.