
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.