Acting on a recommendation from its aviation advisory board, the Matanuska-Susitna, Alaska, Borough Assembly plans to vote March 6 to eliminate its aircraft registration tax.
The Mat-Su Aviation Advisory Board adopted a resolution urging a five-year suspension of the tax that if eliminated would save owners of single-engine aircraft $75 a year, and save twin owners $125 annually.
Assembly member Darcie Salmon introduced an ordinance which would eliminate the registration tax outright. AOPA supported the proposed ordinance in a Feb. 29 letter to the Borough Assembly.
“Repeal of the tax could spur additional aviation activity, which would drive additional economic development during this financial downturn,” said Tom George, AOPA Alaska regional manager.
The measure also could provide incentives for other aircraft owners to move their aircraft to the borough because of registration taxes still in effect elsewhere in the area. The borough seat is the city of Palmer, and its largest city is Wasilla. The borough’s population is more than 91,000 residents, and is the fastest growing area in the state.
The tax repeal question will be the subject of a Borough Assembly public hearing on March 6 at 6 p.m. at the Assembly chambers at 350 E. Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, Alaska 99645.
Members are encouraged to attend and support the registration tax repeal.
An Assembly vote could follow the public hearing.
