The Bethel City Council will meet Tuesday night, and is set to vote on whether to transfer the city's current alcohol sales tax rate of 15 percent onto any alcohol shipped by freight into Bethel from outside the city limits. This would only take effect should Bethel vote under the state's "local option" law to return to damp status in the coming October election.
Council will also consider eliminating a sales tax on property transactions. The proposal was brought forward by council member Raymond “Thor” Williams, citing concerns that the city was in violation of a state statute, but City Attorney Patty Burley says that Bethel's current municipal code does not violate any Alaska statute.
The council will also look at changes to city employment policies and at striking language in the city code dealing with minor offenses in relation to the consumption of alcohol.
Tune into KYUK on Tuesday night starting at 6:30 p.m. for our live broadcast of the Bethel City Council meeting.