Municipal Election File, 2010

October 5, 2010
Municipal Election

ITA Urges You to Vote YES on Both Propositions

 FNSB Proposition A: “The borough shall not ban, prohibit, or fine residents for the use of home heating devices” (which are then defined).

 A YES vote tells the Fairbanks North Star Borough you want them to allow YOU to decide what form of home heating devices you use in your own home. You want a LOCAL air quality program that:

* Stands up to the EPA

* Protects your Right to heat your home, most affordably, as determined by YOU, not the government.

* Avoids spending your tax dollars on code enforcement officers.

 Remember it is YOUR borough – PLEASE VOTE YES FOR PROPOSITION A !

 FNSB Proposition B: “Shall sections 3.08.141 and 3.08.142 of the Fairbanks North Star Borough Code of Ordinances be reenacted” (The sections are then summarized).

 A YES vote would keep in place the exact same revenue cap that is presently in place in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. A YES vote actually renews the two year protection the state gives any voter initiated and approved ordinance – for another two years.

 Why Do We Need a Revenue Tax Cap?

The Revenue Cap is something that affects each and every person living in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. It is our revenue cap that keeps property taxes from soaring higher every time the assembly wants to spend some money without allowing you to vote.

* I AM A RENTER – DOES IT MATTER TO ME?

Although many renters believe that the Revenue Cap does not affect them, you must remember that when your landlord receives a major tax increase, that burden is passed on to you through increased rents.

* WHAT ABOUT THE MILITARY WHO DON’T OWN OR RENT?

Again, the tax cap affects everyone living in the borough. While you may not rent or be a property owner, you will pay property tax every time you shop in our local stores. This is because when store owners are forced to pay a high property tax, they, in turn, pass that cost on to you, the consumer.

* DIDN’T WE JUST DO THIS?

One of the questions most frequently asked of ITA is, “Why must we go through this process every two years?” Good question! The simple answer is – unlike the city, the borough does not have a charter where iinitiatives become permanent law until changed by the voters. The borough is governed by Alaska State Law Title 29, which clearly states:

Sec. 29.26.190. Effect. (a) The effect of an ordinance or resolution may not be modified or negated within two years after its effective date if adopted in an initiative election . . .  Alaska Statutes Title 29

Put simply, this means that if we do not renew our cap every two years by voter approval, it would take only 5 votes of the Borough Assembly to either raise the cap or make it go away altogether.

* IS IT WORKING? DIDN’T MY TAXES JUST GO UP?

Your property taxes have increased over the years! However, due to the tax cap, only a very minimal part of that increase is due to growth in borough government. The majority of this increase has been due to VOTER APPROVED BOND ISSUES, i.e. library expansion, new grade schools, tens of millions in high school renovations, solid waste bonds…the list goes on and on. The tax cap itself protects you ONLY against unwanted growth in government.

PLEASE VOTE YES FOR PROPOSITION B, THE REVENUE CAP!

 The Candidates:

With the current economic climate, this may well be one of the most critical elections in which we have ever been involved. ITA members have tried their best to choose the most fiscally conservative candidates for you – those who will budget your money with you in mind, rather than just catering to special interest groups.

 Our members felt that the following candidates could best be trusted to be responsible with your tax money.

City Mayor

•  Jerry Cleworth

 City Council

•  No Endorsemernt, Seat C

•  Don N. Seeliger, Seat D.

 Borough Assembly

• Diane Hutchison, Seat B

• Natalie Howard, Seat C

• Michael Dukes, Seat D

• Guy Sattley, Seat I

The above is from our full page ad in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Sunday, October 3, 2010.

Paid for by The Interior Taxpayers' Association, Donna Gilbert, President, Box 71892, Fairbanks, AK 99707 (907) 452-4783.

[Tax Cap Explanation]

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Paid for by The Interior Taxpayers' Association, Inc. PO Box 71892, Fairbanks AK 99707,
Donna Gilbert, President  ITA Phone (907) 456-8031.
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