Only six testify at budget public hearing

Six residents testified on the proposed Borough budget tonight in Wasilla. Two said the Borough needs to tax more, one resident said as a senior citizen she now pays zero in taxes and thinks that's wrong.  Another resident said a sales tax would be better than higher property taxes. Two others testified about the need for adding permanent fire responder positions to catch up with growth.

The meeting was short. The sunlight was long. Assembly Members and the Mayor gave some remarks afterwards.

Click to listen on the first audio file to hear the residents who testified.

The next public hearing on the budget is Thursday in Willow at 6 pm at the Willow Community Center at mile 69 on the Parks Highway. The Assembly may decide to begin deliberations at this meeting.

Visit the Budget webpage to look at the proposed budget and communications between Assembly and staff and more.

Large photo up top: Borough Assistant attorney Laura Newton, Assembly Member Jim Sykes, Assembly Member Dan Mayfield, Assembly Member Vern Halter, Deputy Mayor Ron Arvin, and Manager John Moosey.