Story Created:
Jul 27, 2009 at 11:58 AM AKDT
Story Updated:
Jul 27, 2009 at 11:58 AM AKDT
Organizers of an effort to substitute a property tax with a sales tax in Fairbanks say they are within 100 signatures of getting the issue on the October ballot.
They say the plan supported by Mayor Terry Strle would increase the city's spending power by $8 million per year.
The city's property tax rate is separate from Fairbanks North Star Borough taxes, so tax bills issued to property owners would fall by roughly one-third if voters approve the switch.
The sales tax would exempt fuel, groceries, medical bills and prescription drugs.
City voters have defeated a handful of sales tax proposals in recent decades, including one in 2003.
Businessman Dan Thompson says if such a proposal makes the
October ballot, there will be an active campaign to defeat it.
