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ABOUT THE CITY OF THORNE BAY

The City of Thorne Bay is a second-class City incorporated on August 2, 1982 under the laws of the State of Alaska. The community is divided geographically by Thorne Bay with the main town site (North Thorne Bay) and a majority of the services located on the North side of the bay with additional residential, commercial and industrial subdivisions located on the South side of the bay.

Thorne Bay encompasses 28.937 square miles, and is located on the East side of Prince of Wales Island, the third largest island in the United States. Thorne Bay is one of the larger community’s land wise in Southeast Alaska with approximately 40 percent of the population living in South Thorne Bay/ Goose Creek area and the remaining living in North Thorne Bay.  The 2018 population of Thorne Bay was 524 people. North Thorne Bay has mostly paved roads, city water, sewer service and trash collection.  South Thorne Bay /Goose Creek are serviced by public roads but have no city utility services.

Thorne Bay’s largest employers are the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Southeast Island School District, City of Thorne Bay, Thorne Bay Market, Southeast Road Builders and Port and Tackle Shack at Thorne Bay.  The Barge Facility handles most all goods that arrive on Prince of Wales Island.  Two scheduled float plane services provide daily passenger and mail service to Ketchikan and other island communities.  The Inter Island Ferry provides service from Hollis to Ketchikan.

The economy is slowly shifting from the old logging camp days to a more balanced economy with tourism and retirement growing.  Thorne Bay still struggles to attract new business and lacks the jobs that will help retain young people in the community.   

The governing agency is the City Council. The Council is a seven member body elected at large by the general public or appointed by the Council to serve an unexpired term of a Councilmember who may cease to sit on the Council prior to a municipal general election. The Mayor is elected by the Council from within the City Council. The Council sets policies, passes laws and establishes the budget. The budget covers the fiscal year, July 1 through June 30.  The City Council meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month, except in October where meeting must align with city elections.

The City of Thorne Bay has a “Strong Mayor” form of government. The Mayor has the same legislative powers as other members of the Council and is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Administrative Officer for the City.

In Thorne Bay’s form of government, the Council collectively hires the City Administrator, City Clerk/Treasurer and City Attorney who serve at the pleasure of the Council. The Council also appoints the EMS Director, Fire Chief and Village Public Safety Officer. The Mayor or Mayor Designee hires or appoints all other municipal personnel. The Mayor may delegate authorities granted to him under the Municipal Code to a City Administrator or another designated employee when the administrator position is vacant.

The City has a Planning Commission, Strategic Planning Committee, Roads Commission and a Harbor Commission that advise the Council on various topics throughout the year.  In the absence of a committee the City Council fulfills the duties and responsibilities granted the committees.