Borough to hold open houses on proposed gas tax

Residents of the Mat-Su Borough (MSB) who have concerns and questions about the proposed $0.07/gallon gas tax will have several opportunities to meet and engage in a “community dialogue” while learning more about the fuel excise tax proposition before on an advisory vote in November, as the Borough will host several open house events.

The MSB will hold six open houses, beginning on September 17 at Butte Elementary School. Other locations include Willow Community Center, Meadow Lakes Elementary, Knik Elementary, Mat-Su Central School, and the Upper Susitna Community and Senior Center.

Discussion is set to include an overview of the fuel excise tax, exemptions that include heating, aviation, and marine fuels, the year-and-a-half trial period, and a question and answer period.

The proposed measure has been met with opposition from the public during previous MSB Assembly meetings, with many commenters expressing frustration and mistrust to the assembly, fearing that if the gas tax were to pass, even with a time limit of a year and a half for the tax, that there would only be an incentive to continue adding taxes.

“This is a matter of taxes upon taxes upon taxes upon more taxes, and I, for one, am tired of it,” said Dan Stanton.

Others commented that the MSB should look inside itself and make fiscal cuts there before adding an additional tax to the people.

“When my husband’s work capacity was full, we had to move money around to find a cheaper apartment. If we have the ability to move resources around, why can’t you?” said Samantha Carney said at the August 5 MSB Assembly meeting.

The comments were enough for the Assembly to postpone voting for a second time on the tax to allow residents to have more input with the advisory vote, while also reaching out to more residents with the informational open houses.

MSB Manager Mike Brown, who proposed the gas tax, has reiterated that the Borough is facing a tough financial situation as the population increases, and with that growth, an increased need for more infrastructure, such as roads and schools. While residents have been very supportive of both, voting to take on new road and school debt during the most recent bond sale elections, the problem remains that these debts are paid for by property taxpayers, forcing the Borough to look at ways to diversify revenue source to pay for new roads or schools.

“I can totally appreciate why folks might not like the fuel excise tax, but that doesn’t make the debt problem go away,” said Brown.

For a full schedule of the open houses, please visit the Mat-Su Borough Facebook page or www.matsugov.us/fuel-excise-tax-proposal

The next MSB Assembly meeting is scheduled for August 19 at 6 p.m. at the Assembly Chambers in Palmer.