A 15% electric rate increase will go up for final vote tonight during the Sitka Assembly meeting. The rate hike would go into effect immediately and charge customers approximately 15 cents per kilowatt hour. See full ordinance here: Ord 2017-05S(1)
See agenda here: 170425_AssemblyAgenda
Then in October, a seasonal rate hike will go into effect – charging 12 cents in the winter and 19 cents in the summer.
With Sitkans using less electricity than projected, the Assembly seeks to change rates to meet debt payments for the Blue Lake Dam expansion project. A major payment is due by July 1st and the electric fund is short $500,000 to $1 million dollars. To meet the payment in full, the Assembly plans to charge ratepayers 15% more and subsidize the electric fund. The Administration is suggesting a $400,000 appropriation from the general fund. They’ll discuss where to appropriate that money tonight.
The group will also talk about a proposal (Ord 2017-10) to crack down on stinky garbage that attracts bears and hear from Halibut Point Marine Services. The company, which operates a deep water dock for cruise ships, wants to create a hop-on hop-off shuttle service for tourists that runs to Harrigan Centennial Hall (Halibut Point Marine Services add-on shuttle service). The first big ship of the season, the Eurodam, arrives May 3rd.
The Assembly may end the meeting in executive session to receive an update on a lawsuit, filed by former Mayor Marko Dapcevich against the city over contract procurement at the Gary Paxton Industrial Park floating dock.
The Sitka Assembly starts their meeting at 6 p.m. tonight in Harrigan Centennial Hall. Raven Radio will broadcast the meeting after Alaska News Nightly.
