Borough and school district budgets are in front of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly on Monday.
The borough budget of nearly $58 million includes funding for local education, various service areas, the airport, and the general fund. An overview included in the meeting packet notes that while the statewide economy is a concern, the local outlook is more optimistic.
The summary cites continued construction work and an increase in cruise visitors. It also points out that conservative spending by the borough in recent years means a healthy reserve balance.
The borough budget was drafted based on a list of assumptions. Those include that the borough will receive its share of the state raw fish tax – about $350,000 – and that the state will fund its school bond debt program – about $2.3 million locally. Those items will not be known until the state’s budget process is complete.
The borough budget also assumes an increase in sales tax collection, and continued funding of federal Secure Rural Schools and Payments in Lieu of Taxes.
The Ketchikan School District’s budget is about $40 million before some expected grants are added in. With those grants, the total spending authority requested by the district tops $45 million.
The Ketchikan School Board has asked the borough for a local contribution of about $10.6 million.
Also Monday, the assembly will consider approving a 1.5-percent cost-of-living raise for borough employees.
Monday’s meeting starts at 5 p.m. in borough assembly chambers at the White Cliff Building. The meeting starts a half hour earlier than usual for the assembly to meet as the Board of Equalization for a review of property tax rolls.
The regular meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. Public comment will be heard at the start of the meeting.
