Kat Sorensen
City Manager · City of Seward
16 articles · 9 transcripts · 24 clips
Seward, Alaska
Affiliations
Seward homeowners who live in town would get two property tax breaks under final budget
Seward's final budget would cut property taxes and add a break for people's own homes, backed by a 6% summer sales tax. Nothing assured for renters.
Seward plan for no city sales tax in winter, 6% in summer gets its first public hearing
“But what we really see is a bigger savings in the winter months.”
Seward moves toward transferring Jesse Lee orphanage cemetery to the Qutekcak Native Tribe
Seward takes a first step Tuesday toward transferring the Jesse Lee Cemetery, which holds burials from a former orphanage, to the Qutekcak Native Tribe.
Seward budget would add a second police sergeant using a job from the closed jail
“It is a PERS position that already exists but was in the jail. So it's taking the jail sergeant position and making it a patrol sergeant.”
Seward council member asks for $75,000 to start making beach fishing spots accessible
“It's still in the long-term plan, but we pared that down to focus on the building and not do the boardwalk and the buildings there”
Seward's harbor proposes higher travel lift rates and passing card fees to customers
“the two funds are not generating enough revenue to cover those depreciations.”
Seward city manager floats cutting electric rates instead of property taxes in 2028
“I would maybe put onto the proposal plate for us to bring back later of getting rid of that administrative fee entirely.”
Seward council members question proposed property tax cut, float exemptions instead
“all 3 of those levers have to pull for this budget to pass.”
State lenders want Seward's first water and sewer rate study since 1993 finished
Seward hasn't studied its water and sewer rates since 1993. A state loan program wants one done, and depreciation puts the utility funds' costs over revenue.
Seward moves city elections to November to share ballot day with borough and state
Seward's City Council voted to move city elections from October to November starting in 2027, putting them on the same ballot day as the borough and state.
Seward proposes a 6% summer-only sales tax and a property tax cut for fiscal 2028
Seward's proposed fiscal 2028 budget would swap the year-round 4% sales tax for 6% in summer, none in winter, and cut property tax by 1 mill.
Seward council takes up moving city elections to November, starting in 2027
Seward council holds a public hearing Monday on moving city elections to November, enabling a November 2027 vote.
Seward requires wider paved streets and bans cul-de-sacs in new subdivisions
“the requirement would be that your home has enough water at all times to handle a fire suppression unit”
Seward shuttle operator warns rising costs could end free service
Seward's free shuttle operator warned the City Council that rising labor and vehicle costs could make the service too expensive to continue when the contract comes up for renewal.
Seward council approves $11.8 million in shore power contracts for cruise dock
“we didn't want a cruise ship to come in and draw power immediately from the community”
Seward hospital's new rural health grants collide with a shortage of space
“That space is approximately 2,000 square feet. So 2,000 square feet of that space is utilized by the health center.”
