The Wrangell Borough Assembly will consider raising wages for non-union positions at the police department during today’s meeting.
They include corrections, dispatchers, police officers and sergeant positions – the proposal would increase their pay by $2 per hour. The police lieutenant position has been removed, since the department said it’s not needed.
Borough administration said these wage increases would bring Wrangell’s Police Department to a lower-mid range comparable to compensation with other Alaska municipalities. The department hopes the higher pay would support long-term recruitment and retention goals as well.
The police officer and sergeant pay scale amendments would reflect the workload carried by a small team, according to borough administration. Currently, six law enforcement positions are funded – three officers, one sergeant, one school resource officer and one chief.
The average cost of an officer in FY 2026 is $120,201, including the benefits, and the impact of the city’s wage adjustments would be between $45,000 and $55,000.
Defining differential tax zones
A public hearing will also take place for amending sections of the municipal code that define differential tax zones.
Borough administration said this amendment would correct a lack in definitions and geographic descriptions, offering clarity and transparency for taxpayers.
Key regions include a full-service tax zone, qualified service tax zone and out-of-service tax zone. Full-service means the areas that receive all borough services, including emergency medical, parks, fire and more.
Qualified service means surrounding areas where the borough provides limited sets of tax-supported services, such as Meyers Chuck.
And out-of-service involves remote areas of the borough with minimal services, like the Stikine River and Zarembo Island. The borough provides search and rescue in those areas and limited law enforcement there.
The Wrangell Borough Assembly will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Borough Assembly Chambers at Wrangell City Hall.
You can listen to the live broadcast of the Wrangell Borough Assembly meeting on KSTK fm 101.7, or stream online at KSTK.org or on the city’s website.
