Property taxes to hold steady in 2009

PALMER — Mat-Su Borough taxpayers will pay about the same property tax rate in 2009 as they will this year, and local schools will receive more money as part of the Borough’s 2009 budget.

The mill levy increased .001 percent from last year, to 9.645 mills, the Borough reports.

In hard dollars, that’s $964.50 in taxes for every $100,000 of assessed property value.

While the mill rate technically stands at 10.326, the Borough assembly decided to spend its state revenue sharing money on a tax rebate.

That rebate calculates out to $150 on the average home valued at $220,000 home. The rebate effectively lowers the mill rate to 9.645.

Schools debate

During its last round of deliberations Tuesday, the Borough assembly trimmed a bit here and added a bit there. But likely the strongest words of the night came when it was time to talk about schools.

The proposed budget prepared by Borough Manager John Duffy included $1.1 million more money for schools for 2009 than were budgeted in 2008.

The Mat-Su Borough School District’s request for 2009 amounted to an increase of $2,862,667 over 2008.

Borough Mayor Curt Menard spoke in favor of increasing funding for the district’s request.

“For the extra amount of dollars, it’s a worthwhile investment,” Menard said, noting that if the Borough doesn’t pay for schools it will likely end up paying for prisons. “We can save some of these kids through proper funding and investment.”

But the Assembly declined.

Assemblyman Pete Houston said he is frustrated that he kept hearing about how special education needs more funding but had in front of him the district’s priority list, which put special education at the end.

Assemblywoman Bettine seconded Houston’s frustration. “I don’t like the way this priority thing is set out one darn bit,” she said.

Assemblyman Tom Kluberton said the district “has not been forthcoming,” and compared the answers to his questions about the school budget to “a shell game.”

Speaking of energy relief money the district received for 2008 from the state Legislature, which has yet to arrive, Kluberton said, “I find it inconceivable that with $2.3 million coming they couldn’t find a nickel to turn loose of for next year’s budget.”

Assemblywoman Mary Kvalheim said she’s worried about decisions the district has made, especially at Wasilla High School, which is part of her area of representation. But even if the assembly upped its school funding, her worries would likely not be addressed as the assembly has no say in where the money goes.

“We aren’t part of this; we don’t get to make these decisions,” Kvalheim said.

Eventually, the proposal to hike school funding to the district-requested level failed with Houston joining Lynne Woods and Rob Wells on the losing side. A motion Bettine made to keep the funding level consistent with Duffy’s recommendation passed with Wells and Woods in opposition.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.