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Sales Tax Max Cap, Senior Exemptions Up For Debate

Courtesy of the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly will consider changes to the tax code at its meeting tonight.

The administration is rolling out a series of proposed sales and property tax revisions over the summer. At tonight’s meeting, the assembly will continue discussion on raising the maximum amount of a sale subject to sales tax to $1,000, up from the current $500. The proposal also would exempt residential rentals from all sales taxes. The measure would need to be approved by borough voters to be enacted.

Another ordinance would phase out the optional sales tax exemption for senior citizens. Anyone 65 or older by Jan. 1, 2018, would not be affected. Anyone turning 65 after that date would still get the state-mandated exemption on the first $150,000 of assessed property value. But the additional $150,000 exemption offered by the borough would be gradually phased out by 2024. That measure would also need voter approval.

Up for introduction tonight is consideration of several commercial marijuana licenses approved by the state Marijuana Control Board.

And up for a vote will be a lease of land near Homer Middle School to the Soccer Association of Homer for the purpose of building in indoor, year-round athletic field.

The assembly meets at 6 p.m. at the George A. Navarre Borough Building in Soldotna.

Jenny reports on the Kenai Peninsula Borough and other stories in the Central Kenai Peninsula for KBBI.