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Ketchikan Today
By the People, for the People
Ketchikan Mayor Delivers Upbeat State of the City Address
Sivertsen highlights city's budget, projects, and economic drivers in annual speech
Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:55am
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Ketchikan City Mayor Bob Sivertsen delivered the annual State of the City address on Wednesday, declaring the city to be in a strong position despite facing challenges like inflation and the need to fund essential services. Sivertsen discussed the city's budget, capital improvement projects, and economic drivers like tourism and the local shipyard.
Why it matters
As the mayor of Ketchikan, Sivertsen's State of the City address provides an important update on the city's fiscal health, infrastructure plans, and economic outlook. The speech offers insights into the key priorities and concerns facing the community.
The details
In his address, Sivertsen highlighted Ketchikan's resilience, hard work, and sense of community. He acknowledged that inflation is driving up project costs, but said the city has a responsibility to fund essential services like police, fire, and utilities. Sivertsen also discussed the city's search for a new city manager and its long list of capital projects, including water and sewer upgrades and a diesel generator replacement. The mayor touted tourism as a 'strongest economic engine,' but said the city must manage growth responsibly. Sivertsen noted that over 40% of Ketchikan jobs are tourism-related and the city saw 1.6 million visitors last year, mostly via cruise ships.
- Sivertsen delivered the annual State of the City address on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.
- In 2025, Ketchikan collected $19 million in sales tax, with 70% generated during the peak tourist season of April through September.
The players
Bob Sivertsen
The mayor of Ketchikan, Alaska, who delivered the annual State of the City address.
Austin Otos
The mayor of Ketchikan Gateway Borough, who recently gave his own state of the borough address.
What they’re saying
“So this year, as we look ahead to 2026, we do so with a clear understanding of both the strengths and the challenges. Our economy continues to evolve. Our tourism sector remains strong, and our local businesses continue to innovate, but we also face a physical landscape that demands focus and discipline.”
— Bob Sivertsen, Mayor of Ketchikan
“The budget discussions are not easy, but they are responsible, and they reflect the simple truth. Ketchikan must protect the services that protect our people, while being flexible and innovative in how we deliver everything else.”
— Bob Sivertsen, Mayor of Ketchikan
What’s next
The Ketchikan City Council will continue its search for a new city manager after the previous candidate withdrew from consideration in January. The council has narrowed the search to 11 candidates so far.
The takeaway
Ketchikan's mayor delivered an optimistic assessment of the city's financial standing and economic outlook, but acknowledged challenges like inflation and the need to balance essential services with infrastructure projects. The address underscores the mayor's priorities of supporting the local economy, particularly the vital tourism industry, while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
