Sales tax rate and senior exemption under review

A sales tax ordinance review committee meeting turned into a larger discussion about the demographic status of the borough and its fiscal future.

The borough tasked the committee to review its sales tax ordinance, specifically looking at the senior exemption and tax rates.

Jody Tow, Borough Finance Director, outlined tax types, rates and revenues across Alaska’s communities. Petersburg’s sales tax is 6 percent—above the state average.

Tow also outlined the status of Petersburg’s Senior Exemptions. There are 462 active senior cards across the borough. Those using the cards cumulatively saved an...