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

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.