ALLIANCE OF CONCERNED TAXPAYERS (ACT)
NEWS
RELEASE
For
Immediate Release:
On
Wednesday, the Alliance of Concerned
Taxpayers filed an initiative with the
Borough Clerk’s office that will give the
public a greater voice when deciding which
capital projects are constructed. The
initiative will lower the borough assembly’s
authorization from $1.5 to $1.0 million
including grants. Projects with a cost in
excess of $1.0 million will require a public
vote with at least 60% approval to pass.
Full disclosure of all construction,
operations, staff, and maintenance cost will
assist the public making an informed
decision on these projects that typically
have a life expectancy of 30 to 40 years or
more.
Soldotna, Alaska (March 30, 2005)
-- The Alliance of Concerned Taxpayers (ACT)
officially challenged borough fiscal
policies by filing an initiative that will
force a public vote on capital projects with
a total cost greater than $1.0 million. It
will also require that future capital
projects have at least 60% voter approval to
pass.
“This initiative is not about eliminating
capital projects. It was designed to ensure
there is public support for all large
capital projects before they are built.
Because taxpayers are required to pay all
operations, staff, and maintenance cost for
the life of these projects, the public
should also have a say in whether a project
is built,” said Mike McBride, ACT President
”The Kenai Peninsula Borough budget is
swimming in red ink with the Borough Mayor
and Assembly proposing new taxes, tax
increases and reduction of exemptions for
senior citizens and disabled veterans to
support an ever increasing budget. In my
opinion, current economic conditions do not
support any new capital projects at this
time. However, if the majority of taxpayers
are willing to assume much higher tax bills
to pay for new buildings, then that decision
should be up to all of us and not just the
assembly ,” said Ruby Kime, the initiative
Prime Sponsor.
Two versions of this initiative were
submitted to the borough clerk. Both are
identical except for the effect date. The
initiative called ACT II is retroactive to
the first of this year, and ACT III would
take effect upon certification of the
election in October. If both initiatives
are approved by the borough ACT organizers
will choose which one to circulate for
signatures.
Both initiatives were submitted with 15
co-sponsors. Co-sponsors are the people who
later in the process will be authorized to
collect the required 1,530 signatures from
registered voters of the borough in the 90
days allowed by law.
“I became a sponsor of this initiative for
several reasons, but the most important has
to do with my grand kids. While driving
around the borough I see more businesses
closing than opening, and more homes for
sale than sold. I am concerned that my
grand kids may be burdened with tax bills
they will not be able to pay. Until the
economy begins to grow again I would like to
have more control over my grand kids’ future
than elected officials, who may not have
their best interest at heart. If a new
capital project is proposed, I want the
opportunity to decide if the need is real
and the total costs are justified. I think
most grand parents will feel the same,” said
Fred Sturman, the initiative Alternate Prime
Sponsor.
The borough has until April 13th
to verify co-sponsor signatures and to
certify the initiatives. During that time
ACT organizers plan to continue collecting
co-sponsors to help with the next phase.
“This initiative is similar to one we
circulated in Nikiski last fall which voters
passed by a wide margin. The Nikiski issue
saved our service area taxpayers almost a
million dollars in the first year alone.
This initiative for the entire borough could
generate savings which would be much
higher. Response has been very favorable
for this initiative. I am confident it will
be put before voters this fall and will pass
easily. The public likes the idea of having
more control over what gets built and how
much their tax bill will be,” said Vicki
Pate, ACT Vice President.
The Alliance of Concerned Taxpayers was
formed to encourage ordinary citizens to
become more active in their local
government. The primary goal is to empower
voters with the tools required to effect
real change, a concept entrenched
politicians and bureaucrats are very adverse
to do. Anyone interested in helping this
effort should call ACT at 776-5444 or email
act_kpb@yahoo.com
“We the People must address our borough’s
deficit budget crisis with a firm hand and
pure heart. Future generations are
depending on us to make the right decisions
today,” McBride said.
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