Council to talk money in budget work session

The Ketchikan City Council meets in special session Thursday to prepare for the 2016 budget process.

The work session was delayed from last month, to allow a full Council to be present. The Council will discuss policy, and give direction to city management for drafting next year’s spending plan.

In a memo to the Council, City Manager Karl Amylon summarized some issues of interest related to the budget. They include dwindling state revenue sharing, potential utility rate increases, and a proposed tobacco tax.

Also on Amylon’s list is the Ketchikan Public Library funding agreement between the city and the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. Some Borough Assembly members have been pushing to reduce or eliminate library funding, which this year was about $400,000.

Council Member Judy Zenge added a discussion item to the agenda that will focus on overtime. A report shows that, so far this year, city and KPU employees have worked more than 12,000 hours of overtime.

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