Finance committee approves modified Eagle Crest budget, reserves $3.05M as board outlines multi‑year deficit plan

The Juneau City and Borough Assembly Finance Committee voted on May 14 to approve a modified budget for Eagle Crest and to set aside $3,045,800 in the restricted budget reserve to cover an anticipated multi‑year deficit.

The committee adopted “Option 2” from staff materials — a version of Eagle Crest’s request that restores a 0.61 full‑time equivalent revenue coordinator and reduces some other staffing and program increases. The committee also approved a separate $226,000 capital infusion for mountain maintenance and directed staff to reserve $3,045,800 to cover the program’s projected shortfall in FY26.

Why it matters: Eagle Crest, the city‑run mountain recreation area, is transitioning toward increased summer operations and expects several years of negative fund balances as it expands. Committee members and Eagle Crest board representatives said the shortfall stems from poor recent winter revenue, wage and staffing shortfalls, and deferred maintenance on lifts and buildings. The assembly’s choice to approve the modified budget and hold a multi‑million dollar reserve preserves the operation while the city and board continue planning for longer‑term solutions including summer gondola revenue and capital work.

Staff overview and questions

City Finance Director Christine Flick told the committee that Eagle Crest submitted a FY26 operating request of $6,324,900 plus $235,000 in one‑time items, and that staff included a $930,000 general‑fund subsidy in the manager’s proposed budget. Flick summarized the choices before the committee: allow Eagle Crest to operate with the full requested authority, reduce its operating authority, make a loan or a direct appropriation, or set aside restricted funds as a contingency. Flick cautioned that if the assembly allows an operating deficit, CBJ code requires a reserve…