MANAGER'S REPORT:
This ordinance would place the question of extending the 1% temporary sales tax on the ballot at the next regular municipal election. The current 1% temporary sales tax expires on September 30, 2018. If approved, the temporary 1% tax would be extended five years, until September 30, 2023.
It is estimated that the temporary tax would generate a total of $43.3 million in sales tax revenue. It is intended that this revenue be used for a variety of capital projects focused on addressing deferred maintenance needs of public utilities and facilities. These projects would improve the condition of city owned assets, thereby helping to hold down operating costs and allowing for smaller utility rate increases moving forward. The earmarked projects include the following:
· Wastewater: infrastructure maintenance and improvements
· CBJ-owned building maintenance
· Water: infrastructure maintenance and improvements
· Airport: matching funds for federally funded projects
· Augustus Brown Pool deferred maintenance
· Centennial Hall upgrades and deferred maintenance
· Schools: major building maintenance
· Bartlett Regional Hospital: Rainforest Recovery Center upgrades
· Information Technology: infrastructure upgrades
· RecycleWorks: Wastewater diversion program
· Affordable Housing Fund
· Park deferred maintenance
· Aurora Harbor reconstruction
This issue was reviewed by the Assembly Finance Committee at its meetings on June 14, June 28, and July 13, 2017. The Finance Committee recommended the ordinance be brought to the full Assembly for consideration. |