What you need to know:
- The Mat-Su Borough Assembly will consider whether to approve a ballot proposition asking voters to replace most of the borough’s areawide property tax with a new 6.5% boroughwide sales tax, with debate expected to start next month.
- The sales tax would replace the borough’s areawide property tax. A property tax that funds certain programs outside the city limits of Palmer, Houston and Wasilla, as well as property taxes that fund road and fire service areas, would continue. The 6.5% tax would be on top of rates already charged on purchases in Talkeetna, Houston, Wasilla and Palmer. It would apply to most purchases, including online sales.
- The proposed 6.5% rate is a starting point for consideration because the exact tax rate needed to cover borough programs is uncertain, officials said. Setting the rate too low could lead to budget shortfalls, they said.
- Short on time but need the local news scoop? Get free weekly news in your inbox for Mat-Su, from Mat-Su.
PALMER — Mat-Su voters could be asked whether to accept a new boroughwide sales tax on a ballot proposition expected for introduction at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly next month.
If approved for ballots, the proposition would ask Mat-Su voters whether to replace most of the region’s property tax with a 6.5% borough sales tax, a first for the region. It would go before voters in November.
Assembly members discussed the measure during a work session Saturday in Wasilla. It will be introduced early next month by Assembly member Michael Bowles, who represents District 1, which includes Butte, Sutton and portions of Palmer…