Editor’s note: The Assembly did not get to the bond package during its Tuesday meeting and will take it up again on Thursday.
The Anchorage Assembly will be voting on a package of bonds on Tuesday Thursday that will be placed on the April 6 ballot. The bonds total approximately $60 million and come with a mechanism to bypass the tax cap, because if approved, then associated operating costs are also approved, driving up the cost of government.
A municipal bond is a bond allows the government to borrow money, paid back through taxes, generally used to finance public projects such as roads, schools, airports and seaports, and infrastructure-related repairs.
Every year the Anchorage voters vote yes on almost all the bonds. One reason is because government workers and unions make up the lion’s share of the voters in a municipal election.
The Anchorage Assembly begins at 6 pm. Thursday at the Loussac Library, 3600 Denali, Room 108. Limited seating is available, and there is overflow seating. The proceedings may also be watched online at http://www.muni.org/watchnow
Must Read Alaska has learned that quite a few residents will be attending the meeting to voice their opinions.
The bonds being voted on at Thursday’s meeting include:
Ordinance No. AO 2021-3, an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified voters of the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska, the question of the issuance of not to exceed $3,950,000 of General Obligation Bonds of the Municipality of Anchorage to pay the costs of constructing, renovating and equipping park, trail and recreational facilities capital improvements and related capital improvements in the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Service Area, and the question of an increase in the Municipal Tax Cap Limitation to pay associated operations and maintenance costs in the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Service Area, without cost to Chugiak, Eagle River, Girdwood and other taxpayers outside the service area, at the election to be held in the Municipality on April 6, 2021, Finance Department. P.H. 1-26-2021.
Ordinance No. AO 2021-4, an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified voters of the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska, the question of the issuance of not to exceed $1,950,000 of General Obligation Bonds of the Municipality of Anchorage to pay the costs of fire protection capital improvements and related capital improvements in the Anchorage Fire Service Area at the election to be held in the Municipality on April 6, 2021, Finance Department. P.H. 1-26-2021.
Ordinance No. AO 2021-5, an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified voters of the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska, the question of the issuance of not to exceed $5,300,000 of General Obligation Bonds of the Municipality of Anchorage to pay the costs of Areawide Public Safety and Transit Improvements and related capital improvements, andthe question of an increase in the Municipal Tax Cap Limitation to pay associated operations and maintenance costs, at the election to be held in the Municipality on April 6, 2021 and amending the 2021 General Government Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) and the 2021-2026 General Government Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Finance Department. P.H. 1-26-2021.
Ordinance No. AO 2021-6, an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified voters of the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska, the question of the issuance of not to exceed $8,055,000 of General Obligation Bonds of the Municipality of Anchorage to pay the costs of Areawide Facilities Capital Improvement Projects, and the question of an increase in the Municipal Tax Cap Limitation to pay associated operations and maintenance costs, at the election to be held in the Municipality on April 6, 2021 and amending the 2021 General Government Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) and the 2021-2026 General Government Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Finance Department. P.H. 1-26-2021.
Ordinance No. AO 2021-8, an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified voters of the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska, the question of the issuance of not to exceed $36,425,000 of General Obligation Bonds of the Municipality of Anchorage to pay the costs of road and storm drainage capital improvements in the Anchorage Roads and Drainage Service Area and related capital improvements, and the question of an increase in the Municipal Tax Cap Limitation to pay associated operations and maintenance costs in the Anchorage Roads and Drainage Service Area, at the election to be held in the Municipality on April 6, 2021 and amending the 2021 General Government Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) and the 2021-2026 General Government Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Finance Department. P.H. 1-26-2021.
Ordinance No. AO 2021-9, an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified voters of the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska, the question of the issuance of not to exceed $3,900,000 of General Obligation Bonds of the Municipality of Anchorage to pay the costs of Public Safety Improvements (Police) and related capital improvements at the election to be held in the Municipality on April 6, 2021 and amending the 2021 General Government Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) and the 2021-2026 General Government Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Finance Department. P.H. 1-26-2021.
