(A.C.T. filed an initiative at the Borough Clerk’s office Wednesday, to limit
increases in tax revenue by the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Any increased taxes
beyond that justified by increases in population and inflation shall occur only
after approval by the voters.)
Soldotna, Alaska (April 19, 2006): -- The “Alliance of Concerned Taxpayers
(A.C.T.) continues to challenge borough fiscal policy by filing an initiative
requiring the Borough Assembly to gain voter approval before increasing tax
revenue beyond the rate of inflation plus population growth. This initiative,
called “ACT-CAP” creates a baseline limiting the total revenue that can be
levied without voter approval.
With success of the A.C.T. sales tax initiative (Prop 5) last year, future
sales tax increases must be approved by 60% of the voters. An A.C.T.
referendum to repeal the “Revenue Enhancement” ordinance 2005-09 is already
scheduled to be on the October, 2006 ballot for voter consideration. Another
A.C. T. initiative (Prop 4) on the 2005 ballot limited capital projects to $1
million without voter approval.
“By his words and actions, Mayor Williams has indicated disbelief of previous
election results. The people spoke clearly last year by capping the sales tax
and they will speak even louder this year by passing ACT-CAP. Mayor Williams
and the Assembly need to listen to the public they are sworn to represent,”
said Fred Sturman, A.C.T. member.
“It is the goal of A.C.T. to promote sustainable fiscal policy by requiring
voter approval for large tax increases or major capital spending. I am
confident, that if tax increases or capital projects are justified, voters will
support them”, said Vicki Pate, ACT Vice President.
“ACT-CAP is very similar to a successful initiative the Mat-Su Taxpayers
Association (www.taxcap.org) use to control their Borough’s spending. By
limiting the amount of revenue the borough can collect, ACT-CAP will provide
tax relief for honest, hard-working citizens who have seen their tax bills
skyrocket in recent years. This should eliminate the need for further borough
action against our senior citizen and disabled veteran exemptions”, said Mike
McBride, ACT President.
“Every dollar the borough gets comes directly from us. It reduces the money we
can spend for things like groceries, gasoline, house and car payments or the
kids allowance. ACT-CAP will encourage the Mayor and Assembly to rethink their
spending habits”, said Ruby Kime, A.C.T. member.
A copy of the ACT-CAP initiative and a power point presentation are available
for public inspection on the A.C.T. website, www.act-kpb.org.
“We cannot continue to mortgage future generations or discourage sustainable
development on the Kenai Peninsula, which the current system clearly does”,
said Jim Mellott, A.C.T. member.
“ACT-CAP” puts the public back into the process in a meaningful way by
requiring future tax revenue increases be approved by a vote of the people who
pay all the bills”, McBride concluded.