Story Created:
Oct 7, 2009 at 3:59 PM AKDT
Story Updated:
Oct 7, 2009 at 3:59 PM AKDT
Alaska voters in Fairbanks and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough
rejected sales taxes Tuesday while measures that could lead to
increased availability of booze were winning in Bethel and Kotzebue.
The Fairbanks 3 percent sales tax proposal was tied to a measure to reduce property taxes. The plan could have increased spending on
roads, police and fire protection by $8 million. Former Mayor Steve
Thompson, a supporter, said critics used scare tactics to defeat the measure.
In the Mat-Su Borough, voters rejected a proposed 3 percent sales tax. Unofficial results showed nearly 78 percent of voters saying no. The measure would have imposed a property tax limit of 7.3 mills.
In Bethel, preliminary results showed voters rejecting state rules governing alcohol restrictions, opening the door for the southwest Alaska hub city of 5,600 to becoming a "wet" community.
Nearly 53 percent of the vote, 543-482, favored rejecting the rules with about 100 absentee and questioned ballots left to be counted. The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board would have to approve liquor licenses for businesses wanting them.
In Kotzebue, a northwest Alaska hub of 3,126, the results were less certain. The ballot measure asked voters if the city should be able to own and operate a liquor store, bar or alcohol-serving restaurant. The proposition also called for creation of a city alcohol control board to regulate sales and a city-run distribution center.
The vote as of Wednesday morning was 389-353 in favor of passage, a 36-vote margin, with 90 absentee or questioned ballots outstanding.
In Kodiak, a $76 million bond issue to finance expansion and renovation of Kodiak High School was passing, but a $13 million bond issue to renovate Kodiak school and borough buildings was failing.
In Juneau, Mayor Bruce Botelho earned a landslide re-election bid by taking 74 percent of the vote. Voters in the capital also approved a substantial tax increase on cigarettes. Starting Jan. 1, the tax will rise from 30 cents to $1 per pack.
In other mayoral races, Talis Colberg was leading in his re-election bid to lead the Mat-Su Borough, as was city of Kodiak Mayor Carolyn Floyd.
The election Tuesday narrowed the field for mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Borough Assembly Members Luke Hopkins and Tammie Wilson will vie in a November runoff election.
