A ballot question to raise the sales tax cap in Petersburg has failed by six votes. Petersburg’s city council met Friday at noon to finalize results of Tuesday’s municipal election. The mayor and city council tallied the votes from three questioned ballots and two absentee ballots that were received in the mail. Those remaining votes did not change the outcome on proposition two. That measure sought to increase the sales tax cap from 12-hundred dollars to 17-hundred dollars. After election day, the measure was failing by two votes. Another four votes from the remaining ballots were all opposed to the increase. That put the final tally at 396 No votes and 390 in favor of proposition two. The measure was intended to bring more money into the city and make more funding available for Petersburg’s harbors.
The final vote on proposition three to purchase waterfront industrial land in Scow Bay failed with 518 No votes and 276 yes votes.
Proposition one, to withdraw from the Inter-Island Ferry Authority passed 631 to 150.
Voters elected Sue Flint and Nancy Strand to additional three year terms on the city council. The two incumbents were uncontested in Tuesday’s election. Another seat on the council had no candidate.
Cheryl File will take a seat on the School Board, along with incumbent Sarah Holmgrain. Both were elected to that board with no opponent.
Rocio Tejera, Jeanette Ness and Kris Norosz won seats on the Hospital Board and Ron Buschmann and Otis Marsh won seats on the planning commission.
Several vacant seats on city elected boards remain. Seats are available on the planning commission, utility advisory board and motor pool fund advisory committee. Those spots and the council seat will be filled by appointment and the city is advertising for people willing to serve.
