Juno's marine passenger fees limited as city manages rising insurance costs

The Assembly Finance Committee of Juneau City and Borough convened on April 6, 2025, to discuss key budgetary issues, including marine passenger fees and the human resources budget, as well as risk management concerns.

A significant topic of discussion was the marine passenger fees, which have not been utilized consistently over the past two years. Committee members questioned the reasons behind this irregularity. It was clarified that the city is limited in what it can charge for these fees, and the last time they were applied was due to specific billable hours related to qualifying work.

The human resources budget was presented as largely flat, maintaining a status quo approach. However, the committee highlighted the Health Yourself program, which has received positive feedback from employees. One individual credited the program with saving their life by identifying a health issue that required medical attention. The program offers comprehensive health screenings, which have proven beneficial for staff, including those from the school district and local hospital.

In terms of risk management, the committee noted rising insurance costs, particularly in property insurance. These increases are attributed to both market exposure and a higher number of claims. The city is implementing a new software system, ClearRisk, to improve the tracking of claims and manage these costs more effectively.

The discussion also touched on the complexities of insurance claims, particularly regarding incidents like the fire at Santorini, which are covered by the risk fund. The committee emphasized the importance of balancing self-insurance with the need for external policies to cover extraordinary events, especially in light of rising insurance rates.

Overall, the meeting underscored the financial challenges facing the city, particularly in managing insurance costs and ensuring the effectiveness of employee health programs. The committee's ongoing efforts to address these issues will be crucial as they prepare for future budget considerations.