Author: kfskadmin

While a 40 percent increase in water rates is on the horizon for Petersburg, the cost of electricity is on its way down. The community already has low-cost hydroelectric power and with more people switching from oil to electric heat, the utility has been making more money.
So, the city council this week passed the first reading of a cut to electrical rates for all customers.

Petersburg’s city council changed direction in the water rate debate at last nights regular meeting. Instead of approving a rate increase recommended by city staffers and advisors, the council majority decided to go with a different proposal from one of the councilors.
The alternative combines a somewhat lower rate increase with debt forgiveness for the water utility. However, city staff told the council the plan did not meet revenue needs, and councilors were at odds over cancelling the utility debt.

GCI has cleared one local hurdle for connecting a regionwide fiber optic cable to its internet and cable TV service in Petersburg. The Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday supported the company’s request to build a small communications building on city-owned land next to a residential area. Some nearby homeowners did not like the location but the commission decided the communications connection was an essential service for the community and should be granted a special use permit for the site.

Southeast Alaska longliners will see a deep cut in the amount of halibut they are allowed to catch next year under recommendations from fishery scientists. The staff of the International Pacific Halibut Commission released its annual catch limit numbers last week, which include a 27 percent cut for the region.

Petersburg’s Utility Advisory Board decided last week to stick with its October recommendation for a water rate increase and did not support a city council proposal that would allow a smaller rate hike. At the same time, the board is recommending a six percent decrease in electrical rates.