[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6531921,"mediaKeyId","3440864-cad00d83dc5600c4a335cbdd9832ae5a","parentId",3440864,"title","Finance committee advances CIP, budget ordinance amendments and utility bond proposal; approves private-dock reimbursement through FY26","audioSeconds",1604,"startMs",7334000,"endMs",8938000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3440864-cad00d83dc5600c4a335cbdd9832ae5a&start=7334&end=8938","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3440864-cad00d83dc5600c4a335cbdd9832ae5a/thumbnail_7334000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6531921/Juneau-City-and-Borough/Alaska/Finance-committee-advances-CIP-budget-ordinance-amendments-and-utility-bond-proposal-approves-private-dock-reimbursement-through-FY26","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531921-f33c5ac72de61e72cc9ab8b19877e81f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199385&Signature=QrMgFCKtHtOGQislbhkwSsig0s-wsU6tE7l42GTuZQjXMYV5261HQwWQhrP1ue9N8pThBU0dKa3~qHJ9MabahzmnFR0aQzDf35VsOG-Lg4okyL8xhLP~Fkfkt3D6L4XquDNPLpL48LXCTUycjXld3AvuFjS1fzDUVtMsk9OZ4UMnvieRtxo2ccRYhyOpviRrPjQMJ~SGBzymx8Qc1vLb2dYhe9lCei8UBT~sa24TlLmBmyN4T9jFHRz3YOfaDCq3L4PTwDZHzQjjHWp3XhYzGJdpnKaJhojjY6zo0lWbm-6IYZpu1aRoFYJd2tzxauMJKzpYd39HO5PJDKi8RZ-61w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Juneau City and Borough","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Assembly Finance Committee on May 21 advanced multiple budget and capital items to the full Juneau City and Borough Assembly and directed staff to prepare an additional bond ordinance for water and wastewater.

CIP and CBJ budget ordinances

The committee voted without objection to move the capital-improvement program (CIP) resolution to the full assembly. The mayor then moved Ordinance 2025-01 (the CBJ budget ordinance) to the full assembly \"with an amendment\" to fund private-dock reimbursements for the full fiscal year through June 30, 2026. The committee recorded a roll call on that amendment: the amendment passed (5 ayes, 4 nays) after members debated whether the reimbursements should cover the full fiscal year or only the calendar-year cruise season. Staff clarified that the budget numbers included full-year funding for both private and city-owned dock passenger fees and that the approved amendment directs staff to allow reimbursement for private docks through the whole fiscal year.

School bond/special projects

Mayor Weldon moved a general-obligation (G.O.) school bond ordinance to the full assembly with an amendment increasing the bond amount for a playground project. The amendment increased the proposed bond amount by adding $10,735,000 (the mayor described the figure as funding the Zontakini playground in a barn rather than from general-fund appropriations). Staff told the committee that design work could occur late in the calendar year and that the earliest construction would be the next construction season regardless of whether the project was funded by general-fund appropriation or by bond proceeds.

Utility bond direction

Assemblymember Smith proposed and the committee agreed to direct staff to introduce a general-obligation bond ordinance for the water and wastewater utilities in an amount up to $8,000,000. The motion survived objection and passed on a recorded vote, 5 ayes and 4 nays. Committee discussion noted the city recently passed other utility funding items and that some members remain concerned the rate increases now planned may still underfund long-term utility needs; proponents said a bond could help buy down rate increases and offer voters a choice between bond-funded and rate-funded options.

Private-dock reimbursements and staff clarifications

Committee members asked how private-dock reimbursements would affect city docks and whether private docks had increased expenses to qualify for reimbursement; staff said the amendment treats private docks and CBJ docks the same for the fiscal year and that reimbursement requires that private dock operators spend funds and then seek reimbursement (not an automatic grant). Staff also said the amendment does not create a formal MOA with private owners; it directs staff to allow the funding to be used through FY26 and to treat private and city docks consistently under the budget appropriation.

Votes at a glance

- CIP resolution: forwarded to full assembly (no objection).

- CBJ Budget Ordinance 2025-01 with amendment to fund private-dock receipts through FY26: amendment passed (5 ayes, 4 nays); ordinance forwarded to full assembly as amended.

- School general-obligation bond ordinance (amount increased to include $10,735,000 for playground): forwarded to full assembly with amendment (no recorded objection to amendment at the time of motion introduction).

- Motion to direct staff to introduce a general-obligation bond ordinance for water and wastewater up to $8,000,000: passed on roll call, 5 ayes, 4 nays. (Roll call recorded in committee transcript.)

What members said and next steps

Members expressed concern about ballot fatigue and placing multiple large funding measures before voters in the same cycle; others said the bond option gives voters a choice and can reduce upward pressure on rates. Staff will draft required ordinance language with law department input and return drafts to the committee and assembly per the timeline discussed.

The committee set follow-up work and drafting tasks in advance of the June and July assembly calendar.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 21, 2025 Assembly Finance Committee","oneSentenceSummary","The Assembly Finance Committee sent the capital-improvement resolution, a budget ordinance (with an amendment to fund private-dock reimbursements through FY26), and a school-bond ordinance amendment to the full assembly; the committee also directed staff to prepare a general-obligation bond ordinance for water and wastewater of up to $8 million.","taxTitle","Juneau City and Borough, Alaska","taxId",13703,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6531926,"Finance committee moves seasonal sales-tax plan to full assembly for public hearings",3543,3776000,7319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3440864-cad00d83dc5600c4a335cbdd9832ae5a&start=3776&end=7319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3440864-cad00d83dc5600c4a335cbdd9832ae5a/thumbnail_3776000.jpg","/articles/6531926/Juneau-City-and-Borough/Alaska/Finance-committee-moves-seasonal-sales-tax-plan-to-full-assembly-for-public-hearings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531926-98861677878e3ac936944b4d0b19bfdd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199385&Signature=miUXsG8Be7OjZDp-D2tTTwm3YLgoyd5HqtAGoO20AV-bUQVTXzeqyQgOWUANf~XjxPo07pBu5bJ1GlVjykeltFxMv1V499p52NI5QIBk1w12M5Keyr-jCe4NdjZP1-04VbC6JmY78RnrDPXWvWAdd3lCQbvDnPEQ7IBvVZLMCtlQnTeYuknr3ofA24kqsbJnl8mR5UdQEEYFv2E0Bil3WcTZmXV-DjLZ556gq3XxOnfGQ6ie8OPFpEqH8KRiYcP8jfbFR0mGg6k02sGTkm0y~dXbaTsM8jS5aayL-ckqGlPnKK0KPDjfIYe~TyDqkQfdP1PvxoFc1oXisVLz1mFFRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Assembly Finance Committee on May 21 voted to introduce a seasonal sales-tax ordinance to the full assembly and to refer it back to the finance committee for further work and public comment in July.

Assemblymember Smith moved that the committee forward an ordinance for introduction on June 9 that follows the principles of a multi-member proposal (Hughes, Gandy, Smith, Steininger). The committee agreed to the motion; the chair set a timeline to return the ordinance to the finance committee on July 9 for further work and hearings with a target of final assembly action in late July.

What the proposal would do

The proponents’ packet describes a seasonal structure with lower year-round (winter) rates and higher summer rates to shift a portion of sales-tax burden from year-round residents to seasonal visitors. The group’s draft recommendation would use calendar quarters for administration, implement on January 1 in the first year, and exempt certain items — notably grocery food and utilities — from sales tax. The proposers’ modeling, as presented by Assemblymember Steininger, estimated a roughly $26 million annual shift in collections from year-round residents to summer visitors under one draft rate scenario; divided by the borough population that model produced about $800 of per-resident tax relief for the year-round population.

Competing rates and process questions

Committee members discussed several rate scenarios. The Hughes–Gandy–Smith–Steininger proposal included a winter rate of 3.5% (inclusive of the existing temporary 1%) and a summer rate of 7.5%, with the existing 1% temporary tax retained and the permanent portions restructured on a seasonal basis. Assemblymember Kelly offered alternative options intended to reduce the swing between seasons (smaller differential) while delivering similar revenue to the city. Members repeatedly asked staff to model business impacts, the number of businesses affected (for example, how many local businesses are not groceries or utilities), and the administrative feasibility of exempting utilities and food (some utility providers may not be able to distinguish residential vs. commercial account types easily).

Staff guidance and legal points

Director Flick told the committee staff could run additional models and that exemptions can be adopted by ordinance, while changes to the tax amount itself would require voter approval. The committee also noted that if the ballot question bundles exemptions and the seasonal structure, it can be presented as a single question to voters (staff said the changes are directly related and can be combined on the ballot).

Next steps

- The committee voted to forward the seasonal-sales-tax ordinance for introduction at the June 9 full assembly meeting and to refer the measure back to the finance committee on July 9 for additional work, public comment, and possible amendment prior to final assembly action.","After lengthy debate the committee agreed to introduce a seasonal sales-tax ordinance following a proposal that would exempt food and utilities and set different winter/summer rates; the ordinance will be introduced June 9 and return to committee for further work in July.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6531932,"Finance committee forwards 10.24 mill levy to full assembly after extended budget debate",2247,269000,2516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3440864-cad00d83dc5600c4a335cbdd9832ae5a&start=269&end=2516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3440864-cad00d83dc5600c4a335cbdd9832ae5a/thumbnail_269000.jpg","/articles/6531932/Juneau-City-and-Borough/Alaska/Finance-committee-forwards-1024-mill-levy-to-full-assembly-after-extended-budget-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531932-d047b73c099fe3a05482682d11c1cec9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199385&Signature=anp~9b-al9gn3C50zW4iMrFTCuVDhcmaIYwPp03uxv5~Tf7Ku00cgL5O9vL1QeePRFzrmfcBrdubZKNI93WnxAXpJcrmBUANrMl5YdXfw8YauMWM2rL9ZBCYKcQuluEl6OZEI0bRk-DpJWEtw9IOjCFwFpmx90Hh61JBhrxgP4hdX16kGOy2f1aPUBIutVu1teafX5p6RwxhDtiR1ssw~tOGkbx07ls~SS~yQQI58-FNycX6d14zTjTkhC--0wmG8y4AUoaiiYd2kAYarsJtB5xOwSbwf0o5EGmNsnL47e4fzsBJfnQcLiw4RFxKjvzHayw8xWaRy-NhEwKkHDya2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Assembly Finance Committee voted May 21 to forward a mill levy ordinance to the full Juneau City and Borough Assembly with a mill rate of 10.24 mills.

The measure was forwarded to the full assembly for final action after an extended committee debate over competing proposals. Mayor Weldon initially moved a mill rate of 10.19 mills; Assemblymember Atkinson moved to amend the mayor’s motion to 10.44 mills, but that amendment failed in a roll-call vote, 3–6. Committee discussion ranged from accepting the manager’s proposal (10.19) to covering recurring spending additions and potential revenue shortfalls by increasing the mill rate further.

Why it matters: The mill rate funds the municipal general fund; small changes affect property-tax bills across the community. Staff told the committee that recurring changes the assembly had already added to the budget would require an increase to about 10.44 mills compared with the manager’s proposal and identified several specific ongoing cost and revenue items the committee weighed.

Staff numbers and members’ questions

A staff memo itemized recurring additions that the assembly had approved and revenue risks staff described as likely but not certain. Staff said recurring additions total about $460,000 — including $130,000 to restore library funding, roughly $86,000 for communications supplies and services, $75,000 added outside-cap school funding, $71,000 for junk-vehicle contracts, a law-department FTE (~$66,000), and other personnel and grants changes — and that those recurring costs translate to about 0.07 mills.

Staff also told the committee it is monitoring two potential revenue losses: Secure Rural Schools (described in the packet as roughly $550,000, about 0.08 mills) and a community assistance program (about $624,000, about 0.10 mills). Staff summed those two risks as roughly 0.18 mills of revenue at risk. “So in revenue, we’re losing the equivalent of 0.18 mills. On the expenditure side, we’ve added 0.07. And so the combination of that takes you from the 10.19 to the 10.44,” a staff presenter said.

Members pressed staff for concrete impacts to homeowners and the school district. Staff said the difference for a median-valued home (listed in the packet at $515,500) moving from a 10.04 mill rate to 10.19 would be about $98.50 annually. Committee members also asked whether, if Secure Rural Schools funding failed, the city would be legally required to replace the revenue; staff replied that the Secure Rural Schools money is largely used for streets-related projects and operations and that, if it did not come, the city would look either for general-fund support or program reductions.

Key votes and amendments

- Amendment to change the mill rate from 10.19 to 10.44 (mover: Assemblymember Atkinson): failed on roll call, 3 ayes (Assemblymember Hugh Scandes; Assemblymember Atkinson; Chair Wall), 6 nays (Smith; Kelly; Hall; Mayor Weldon; Bryson; Steininger). (Roll-call appears in the committee transcript.)

- Multiple compromise amendments were proposed during the meeting, including an amendment to set the mill rate at 10.24 (mover: Assemblymember Bridal/Bryson) and a separate attempt to change it to 10.26 (moved by the chair during discussion); a motion to set 10.26 failed in a recorded vote. After the debate and amendment votes the committee chair asked if there were objections to moving the ordinance as amended with a 10.24 mill rate; there were none, and the committee forwarded the mill-levy ordinance to the full assembly.

What the committee forwarded

Mayor Weldon moved Ordinance 2025-03 (the mill-levy ordinance) to the full assembly \"as amended with the mill rate being 10.24\"; the chair announced \"Any objections? So moved,\" and the ordinance was forwarded to the full assembly for consideration.

What committee members said

- Mayor Weldon said she preferred 10.19, noting uncertainty around some state and federal revenues and cautioning against taxing for revenue that is not certain.

- Assemblymember Atkinson argued for 10.44, saying the committee had agreed to recurring additions and that a more conservative rate would better cover known costs.

- Assemblymember Bryson and other business owners warned that larger swings between seasons or sudden changes in rates can affect local commerce and urged smaller, incremental steps.

Next steps

The committee forwarded Ordinance 2025-03 (mill levy) with a 10.24 mill rate to the full assembly for final consideration.

Votes at a glance

- Amendment to set mill rate to 10.44: failed, 3–6 (ayes: Hugh Scandes; Atkinson; Wall). Roll-call appears in committee record.

- Ordinance 2025-03 (mill-levy), as amended with mill rate 10.24: forwarded to full assembly (no roll call recorded on introduction; chair announced no objections).","The Juneau City and Borough Assembly Finance Committee on May 21 debated multiple mill-rate options and voted to forward a mill levy ordinance to the full assembly with a 10.24 mill rate after rejecting a higher-amendment and other proposals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance committee advances CIP, budget ordinance amendments and utility bond proposal; approves private-dock reimbursement through FY26

Finance committee moves seasonal sales-tax plan to full assembly for public hearings

Finance committee forwards 10.24 mill levy to full assembly after extended budget debate