Daily Sitka Sentinel

Water Funding, Land On City’s Wish List

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    Funding for a secondary water treatment facility, school support, and land for future growth are at the top of the list of requests to the state Legislature approved by the Assembly Tuesday night.
    The single capital project request is for $18 million to develop a secondary drinking water source for Sitka.
    “In order to provide water when the Blue Lake penstock system is being maintained or Blue Lake water quality does not meet the standards of the city’s filtration avoidance waiver, (the city) is planning to install a critical secondary water treatment system,” the proposal said. “Funding for this critical infrastructure project ensures that various state and federal regulations will be met and that the citizens of Sitka will have access to water in times of necessary infrastructure maintenance or emergency.”
    The Assembly raised water rates last year and has applied for a low-interest loan to pay for the project, while continuing to lobby for federal and state help with funding.
    The list was presented by city staff to the Assembly late last year, and came back for final approval, with some amendments, at Tuesday night’s regular Assembly meeting.
    There were few comments this time around, and the list was approved on a 6-0 vote.
    Several Assembly members commented today on various parts of the list.
    “What it emphasizes is the need for the state and (federal government) to help municipal governments because we can’t do it on our own,” Kevin Knox said. “It emphasizes the burden, and the fact that local governments can’t take on the entire burden of the needs of communities.”
    “It’s truly a wish list,” said Richard Wein. “Based on our current economic situation in the state it is really just voicing some of our basic needs. The expectation of actual fulfillment is very small. We can wish whatever we want. It’s a statement of hope.”
    One page of the two-page document lists the Assembly’s priorities for the state as a whole, one calling for a sustainable and balanced state budget.
    “Lack of a comprehensive budget plan has adversely impacted public safety, infrastructure maintenance, education and other key services,” the document said.
    Getting down to particulars, it seeks the transfer of state lands to Sitka for community development, including a parcel on Japonski Island for a new sea plane float, and parcels at Katlian Bay and in the Indian River valley.
    The document also seeks funding under the harbor matching grant program, and for equitable service for Sitka by the Marine Highway System.
    It asks for the state to increase the amount paid to house state prisoners in the city jail.
    “The state is responsible for caring for persons charged under state law; 89 percent of our inmates fall into this category,” the document says. It asks for the rate to be increased to the previous level of $695,000 annually.
    The city is also asking for the school bond debt reimbursement program to be fully funded and for “forward funding” of operating support.
    “Sitka’s schools are struggling economically, which affects staffing and student instruction,” the legislative request says.
    The city also asks for consistent support of funding for cities (formerly called revenue sharing), and to keep the unfunded liability for city and school retirement systems at 22 percent.
    “Municipalities currently pay the amount set by the state, but requiring a larger percentage could drastically impact already stressed municipal budgets,” the document says.
    Knox said it’s difficult to say which items are most important.
    “They all support the community in different ways,” he said.
    Steven Eisenbeisz said the list lets decision makers know about the upcoming needs of the community.
    “It’s an indication to the state that capital needs are important,” he said. “The state needs to hurry up and figure something out so they can help communities that are struggling.”
    The Assembly will hold its first budget work session 6 p.m. tonight at Harrigan Centennial Hall.