It’s been 12 years since Wrangell voters were asked to approve the borough taking on debt, and next Tuesday’s municipal election ballot will include two such proposals to repair worn-down public buildings.
The Oct. 4 ballot also will include the election of a new mayor, two borough assembly members, two port commissioners and three school board members.
In addition, the ballot asks voter permission for the borough to sell or lease the former sawmill property at 6-Mile. The borough bought the property this summer for $2.5 million, and is looking to sell or lease the site for private development, but needs voter approval before it can sign a deal.
No developer has come forward to take over the property, but the borough assembly decided to ask voter permission in advance to speed up the process in case a potential developer steps up.
The polls will be open for registered voters 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Nolan Center. Voters may cast an early ballot, for any reason, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Monday, Oct. 3, at City Hall.
As of last Friday, 38 residents had voted early or requested an absentee ballot, said Kim Lane, borough clerk. That is equal to almost 10% of the total turnout in last year’s municipal election.
Election results will be announced the evening of Oct. 4.
One bond issue on the ballot would authorize the borough to take on $3.5 million in debt to fund repairs at all three school buildings, all of which are three to four decades old. In addition to borrowing money for the local share of the project cost, the borough would seek a $6.5 million state grant to fully fund the repairs.
Borough officials believe that increased sales tax revenues and federal assistance payments would fully cover the cost of repaying the local bond debt.
The other bond issue ballot measure seeks voter approval to take on $8.5 million in debt for major repairs to the water-damaged, 37-year-old Public Safety Building. Borough officials estimate repaying the debt could cost about $224 a year in property taxes on a $200,000 home.
In municipal elections on the ballot, Patty Gilbert and Terry Courson are running for mayor. Alex Angerman, Brittani Robbins and incumbent David Powell are running for two openings on the assembly, with the top two vote-getters winning the seats.
Running unopposed for port commission are Winston Davies and incumbent John Yeager.
Running unopposed for school board are Elizabeth Roundtree, Esther Ashton and incumbent David Wilson.
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