HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd2003-002
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Sponsored by: Erchinger
Introduction: February 10,2003
Public Hearing: February 24, 2003
Enactment: February 24, 2003
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
NON-CODE ORDINANCE 2003-02
A NON-CODE ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEWARD, ALASKA, APPROPRIATING $2,500 TO MAKE EXPENDITURES
TO INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME OF AN ELECTION CONCERNING A
BALLOT QUESTION TO OPPOSE THE REPEAL OF ORDINANCE 2002-13,
WHICH INCREASED THE CITY SALES TAX FROM 3% TO 4%
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2002-13 on December 18, 2002; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 2002-13 amended the Seward City Code Chapter 5.35, Sales Tax,
increasing the City sales tax from three percent to four percent beginning April 1 ,2003; and
WHEREAS, the City has experienced a significant reduction in State funding as a result of
legislative cuts to the State Revenue Sharing and Safe Communities programs, with such funding
sources equating to 3.5 mills of property tax in 1991 and only 0.79 mills in 2001, representing a
decline of 65% or an annual loss of revenue of $314,681 compared with ten years ago; and
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WHEREAS, the Administration has taken steps to reduce City expenditures while
maintaining those services deemed vital to the community; and
WHEREAS, the City has experienced significant increases in annual fixed costs such as
insurance, which can no longer be absorbed solely by growth in sales tax revenues based on
economic growth; and
WHEREAS, without developing additional revenues sources, it will be necessary to reduce
or eliminate certain vital services to the community and continue to defer maintenance and repairs,
and the City will not have sufficient funds for capital infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, an increase in the sales tax will effectively place a portion of the burden of the
cost of public services on those individuals who benefit from City services yet are only visiting
Seward, or live outside the boundaries of the City of Seward; and
WHEREAS, a referendum petition for Ordinance 2002-13 was submitted, treated as a whole,
and found to be sufficient with 170 verified signatures on the 17th day of January 2003; and
WHEREAS, the City Council approved Resolution 2003-014, calling for a Special Election
to be held on April 8, 2003 for the purpose of submission to the qualified voters of Seward the
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CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
NON-CODE ORDINANCE 2003-02
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question of repeal of Ordinance 2002-13, which increased the City Sales Tax from 3% to 4%; and
WHEREAS, A.S. 15.13.145 provides that a municipality may not use public money "to
influence the outcome of an election concerning a ballot proposition or question" (a phrase used in
A.S. 15.13.145) unless the funds have been specifically appropriated for that purpose by municipal
ordinance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
Section 1. The City Council hereby appropriates and authorizes for expenditure $2500 from
the General Fund Fund Balance account #101-0000-3050 to the General Services Miscellaneous
account #101-1180-5790, for the purpose "to influence the outcome of an election concerning a
ballot proposition or question" (a phrase used in A.S. 15.13.145) and to oppose the repeal of
Ordinance 2003-13 increasing the sales tax from three percent to four percent effective April 1,
2003.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect ten (10) days following enactment.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
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StuClark,~ayor
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Branson, Shafer, Dunham, Clark
Orr, Valdatta
None
None
ATTEST:
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(City Seal)