The Anchorage Assembly has passed yet again the largest budget in the city’s history. At $540 million, it’s 14.5 percent more than the budget approved under previous Mayor Dan Sullivan back in 2014.
Every year of the Berkowitz Administration has seen record-setting budgets for Alaska’s largest city.
In that same time, the city’s population has declined by 7,000 people and the commercial vacancy rate has reached the highest level ever measured — 15 percent vacancy for Class A office space.
The budget was approved by all members of the Assembly on Tuesday and includes $735,000 for 150 shelter beds for homeless people for the next 12 months — through the summer months, as well as winter. Of that amount, some $290,000 would come from the sale of Municipal Light & Power to Chugach Electric Association.
There will also be an additional four officers added to the Anchorage Police Department.
A homeowner with a $350,000 valuation will pay an additional $20 next year in property taxes.
