Residents urge year‑round senior coordinator and caution on mill‑rate increases

Denise Capozzi, a Skagway resident, told the finance committee she supports making the rec‑center senior coordinator role a full‑time, benefited position to provide "longevity" for recent successful programs and to enable grant writing and program expansion. "We still need a full on senior coordinator," she said, arguing the current rec‑center 2 post is only a "Band Aid."

Wendy Anderson, another resident, told the committee she supports converting the rec‑center 2 position to year‑round status for FY25 and FY26 and urged officials to audit other positions that require employees to reapply every six months. Anderson also suggested some maintenance costs for Pullen Creek Shoreline Park could be funded from port or 'healthy port' funds rather than sales tax.

The chair noted the committee is considering budget options that include reserves and revenue changes; residents asked the committee to pursue port‑related revenue measures before increasing the mill rate. No formal action was taken during public comment; committee members acknowledged the comments and later discussed staffing and revenue options during the budget conversation.

The committee did not adopt staffing changes at the meeting; the public comments were entered into the record for consideration during FY25 budget deliberations.