Mayor
Mayor - Tom Morphet
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1209, Haines, AK 99827
Office Physical Address: 103 Third Ave. S, Haines (Administration Bldg)
Office Phone: 907-766-6405 Fax: 907-766-2716
Email address: tmorphet@haines.ak.us
(Borough Cell) 907-314-3193
Term ends: 10/2026
The Haines Borough is a "home rule" municipality with a manager/assembly form of government. The Borough Assembly is the sole lawmaking (legislative) body creating and adopting any and all new borough laws and amendments or repealing laws and amendments.
The mayor is elected for a three-year term and serves as the presiding officer. The mayor is not a member of the assembly. A deputy mayor, chosen by the mayor among the assembly members, presides when the mayor is absent.
Powers and Duties of the Mayor
(A) Executive. The executive power of the Haines Borough is vested in the mayor. The mayor presides at assembly meetings, acts as ceremonial head of the Haines Borough, and is responsible for additional duties and powers prescribed by this charter or borough code. The mayor may participate in all assembly meeting discussions, chairing the meetings, but shall vote only in case of a tie.
(B) Representative. The mayor shall execute official documents of the Haines Borough on authorization of the assembly.
(C) Veto. The mayor may veto an ordinance, resolution, motion, or other action of the assembly and may strike or reduce appropriation items.
The veto does not extend to:
(1) actions of the board of equalization or the board of adjustment;
(2) the appointment or dismissal of personnel;
(3) adoption or repeal of a manager plan of government;
(4) an ordinance adopted under AS 04.11.498.
The veto must be exercised and submitted to the assembly with a written explanation prior to or at the next assembly meeting. The assembly, by supermajority vote of the total membership, may override a veto any time within twenty-one days after its exercise. The mayor’s failure to sign a legislative measure shall not constitute a veto.
(D) Law enforcement. In case of emergency, the mayor has the power of a peace officer and may exercise that power under the executive authority of the mayor to prevent disorder and to preserve the public health. The assembly by resolution may declare that the emergency no longer exists.
Assembly Meetings
Regular Meetings:
6:30 pm - Second & Fourth Tuesdays of each month
Location: Assembly Chambers, Public Safety Building
213 Haines Highway, Haines, AK
