City Council advances property tax ordinance; Councilman Norum resigns.
FAIRBANKS — The Fairbanks City Council advanced an ordinance that would put to voters the question of raising property taxes to bring $1.7 million of additional revenue to the city Monday night at City Hall.
The ordinance advanced to the July 24 meeting with a 3-2 vote.
Cleworth said he wouldn’t try to debate the ordinance too much — because it was late and there would be plenty of time to discuss the ordinance at the next meeting — but he said he was concerned about the property taxes increasing for city residents next year.
Aside from the proposed tax increase, next year property taxpayers will cover the cost of a $2.4 million groundwater contamination remediation project estimated to be completed before the summer’s end.
“The only way to pay for those claims is through property taxes next year.” Each year, claims and judgments against the city from the previous year are factored into the city’s total property tax levy.
During the public commenting period, a couple people who have been affected by the water contamination asked whether the city would be covering their water bills after they’re connected to the city’s water service.
I hate to say it: There may be lawsuits that follow,” Cleworth said.
There was not much discussion on the tax ordinance beyond Cleworth’s comments.
Norum Although Matherly did not say why Norum had resigned, Councilwoman Valerie Therrien hinted at some illness.