Soldotna’s Pete Sprague will certified as the city’s new Mayor tonight, leaving his seat on city council vacant.
Sprague ran unopposed for the October 6 municipal election.
Sprague: “First of all I am very excited about taking office. And of course there are challenges I think looking at annexation is one. Addressing how we are going to deal with the revenue shortfall from the passage of ballot proposition 1 is another item. And addressing how Soldotna’s going to handle the legalization of marijuana, I think we’ll try to do that before the end of the year or shortly into the new year. So those are three big ones that are on the horizon.”
During his mayoral campaign, Sprague openly opposed the initiative to repeal the allowance of a wintertime non-prepared food tax. He says Soldotna will be impacted but nothing needs to be done immediately as the city is financially stable and options will be investigated.
Sprague’s council resignation letter to his fellow members will be considered at tonight’s meeting and if approved, the council will declare Seat F vacant.
Interested applicants to the seat will be interviewed and one will be appointed by the city council within 30 days.
Tonight’s city council meeting will begin at 6 pm in the Soldotna City Hall Chambers.