The U.S. Department of the Treasury has made an appointment with the Berkowitz Administration after receiving several confidential complaints about the Municipality of Anchorage’s use of CARES Act funds for purchasing housing and treatment centers for Anchorage’s street people.
The Berkowitz Administration is preparing to shove through a $22.5 million purchase of four buildings in Anchorage, and $21 million for first responders payroll reserve, which had already been budgeted in 2020.
Assembly member Jamie Allard has an amendment to strike the $21 million and instead make $18 million available for small businesses in the hospitality, tourism industry and small businesses.
$2.9 million would go for landlord and tenant relief, under the Allard plan, and $100,000 for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce to make up for the lost revenues from the Bear Paw Festival.
According to the Department of Treasury Inspector General, the feds have spoken with the State of Alaska and have set two options for meetings this week with municipal officials. Assembly members have been notified.
The meetings will take place either Wednesday or Thursday, but the Assembly is taking up the spending package on Tuesday.
This story is developing.
