The Ketchikan Gateway Borough will consider reducing property taxes this year, and is working to expand the airport and recreation center, according to Borough Mayor Rodney Dial.
In his State of the Borough address last week, Dial outlined the sources of local government revenue and spending.
“And because of conservative projections by the manager and staff regarding revenue and expenditures over the years, staff is actually telling us that we can reduce property taxes, the mill rate,” Dial said. “And the Assembly will be debating doing that in the months to come.”
Dial said the borough saw an increase of $68 million in newly taxable property last year. That came from both new construction and climbing property values.
“Area-wide residential property assessments are going up about 8% on average,” Dial said.
Dial said the Borough Assembly will therefore consider lowering the property tax rate in order to mitigate the impact on housing affordability.
According to Dial, two main focuses for 2024 are expanding the Ketchikan International Airport and the Gateway Recreation Center. He said the Borough is planning to expand the Rec Center thanks to a steady increase in visitors and revenue in recent years and will have concept drawings ready for that soon.
Dial said a number of small airport improvement projects have been recently completed or are underway, and the Borough is working to secure $40 million to expand the terminal area.
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski on Monday announced $1.8 million in funding for the Ketchikan International Airport, through a national appropriations package.
Michael Fanelli is the News Director for KRBD. He can be reached at michael@krbd.org
