CBJ Finance committee tackles budget

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Wednesday, May 27th, 2020 7:58pm

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Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The CBJ Assembly Finance Committee reviewed items like affordable housing, child care, Travel Juneau and Eaglecrest as they moved closer to a final budget proposal for the next two fiscal years.

The committee cut $107,900 from facilities maintenance.  They defeated a proposal from the Mayor, Beth Weldon to spend $90,000 on maintenance.

The committee also voted against two proposals for the affordable housing fund.  The original request was to spend $525,000 in grants in fiscal year 2021.

Sealaska Heritage Institute withdrew a request of $1.5 million for the Northwest Coast Arts Campus.  The Mayor and CBJ Manager Rorie Watt will send a letter of support from the assembly to SHI for the project.   The assembly could consider a contribution in the future.

The committee agreed to spend $400,000 for childcare in each of the next two fiscal years.

The budget will also include $85,000 in fiscal year 2020 funds for the Alaska Heat Smart program.  It will also include $30,000 for fiscal year 2021.

The committee denied a $30,000 request for the Hank Harmon Biathlon Range.

The assembly approved an additional $150,000 for Eaglecrest to retain new staff, continue future planning and make repairs.  GM Dave Scanlan said they want to maintain a strong ski season for 2021/2022 and reduce reliance on the general fund budget in future years.  The original request was for $275,000.

The budget will also include $625,000 for Travel Juneau and $534,000 for Centennial Hall.  The money will be a mixture of sales tax revenue and general fund dollars.

The committee also approved $75,000 for the Downtown Business Association.  The group said their efforts will focus on bringing more shoppers downtown.

The committee adopted budget reductions of nearly $1.14 million in general fund spending that includes the reduction of nine positions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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