The Ketchikan City Council has scheduled a special budget work session for Thursday night, and also will consider resolutions to place bond propositions on the Oct. 7 municipal ballot.
The Council will vote on two bond measures, one package to pay for water main replacement projects, and a second for sewer mains. The work would take place on Schoenbar Road, Chatham Avenue, and Front, Mill and Stedman streets.
The bonds, totaling up to $10 million, would provide the funds needed for the community to qualify for a 70-percent state matching grant program. According to city officials, the water and sewer pipes are old, deteriorating and desperately need replacement.
Also on Thursday, the Council will talk about its upcoming 2015 budget process. According to a memo from City Manager Karl Amylon, the city budget appears balanced in the short term, but deficits are projected starting in 2017.
The Ketchikan Public Utilities budget also shows deficits, partly because of debt from the Whitman Lake hydroelectric dam project, and costs associated with launching KPU Telecommunications Division’s wireless phone service.
Thursday’s special meeting starts at 7 p.m. in City Council chambers. Public comment will be heard at the start of the meeting.
