Ketchikan voters to decide tobacco tax extension

A measure to indefinitely extend the Ketchikan Gateway Borough’s $2/pack excise tax on tobacco products will go in front of voters on Oct. 1^st.

The assembly voted Monday to adopt an ordinance extending the tax, subject to voter ratification. Revenue from the boroughwide tobacco tax is dedicated to local schools. The tax has generated about $1 million.

Also Monday, the assembly talked about the Tobacco 21 proposal, which would raise the local age to legally purchase tobacco from 19 to 21. The assembly asked borough staff to bring back a resolution urging state lawmakers to change the age statewide.

Assembly members also asked for information about what it would cost to enforce the law locally, if the state law doesn’t change.

In other matters, the assembly rejected a proposed contract with the Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council to develop a new community flag.

The proposal called for spending about $6,500 total, shared between the city and the borough. The money would have gone toward marketing and promotion, artist fees, administrative costs and printing the chosen design.

The next borough assembly meeting is July 15^th.