By BRENDA JOSEPHSON

Juneau voters sent a clear message in the October 7 municipal election to slow government spending and protect taxpayers, and a need for new leadership.

Two rounds of preliminary results from the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) show that two tax-relief measures advanced by the Affordable Juneau Coalition, a citizens group, are likely to pass. A city-proposed seasonal sales tax that would have eroded the citizen initiatives was decisively rejected. And a political newcomer with conservative leanings is poised to unseat a longtime incumbent who typically called for more spending and increased taxation. Many observers interpret the outcome as a conservative sweep given the options on Juneau’s ballot.

Approximately 28,000 mail-in ballots were mailed to Juneau voters, but less than 10,000 were returned based on the unofficial preliminary results that were released on October 10^th. The return represents a modest 35% turnout despite mail-in voting, which is consistent with recent elections. The city clerk estimated that between 200 and 400 ballots may still be counted prior to final certification, which is scheduled for October 21st.

Only one Assembly seat was contested in this election. In that race, political newcomer Nathaniel “Nano” Brooks, running on a fiscally conservative platform, is leading incumbent Wade Bryson for a seat in District 2. Brooks holds a preliminary lead of 410 votes, surpassing the clerks’ estimated remaining votes to be counted.

Brooks’s campaign emphasized tighter budget oversight, waste reduction, and the importance of government living within its means. Bryson, the incumbent, emphasized continuity, additional spending unrelated to growth, and advancing projects like funding a new City Hall that was twice rejected by Juneau voters. The result suggests the electorate favoring a shift toward fiscal discipline.

People are viewing the successful challenge as a pivotal moment. “People are ready for change and want accountability,” said Joe Geldhof, a longtime Juneau resident. Geldhof added that the current Assembly in Juneau “has stopped listening to the citizens and is committed to spending without regard to affordability.”

The driving force behind the citizen-led ballot campaign was the Affordable Juneau Coalition, which was formed in early 2025 to champion a set of ballot initiatives aimed at alleviating tax burdens on residents. Affordable Juneau emphasized affordability by limiting future tax increases and reducing the tax burden on basic goods and utilities while still protecting the public’s ability to support public infrastructure projects with debt service if approved by the voters.

In April, the coalition submitted three proposals to the municipal clerk, with Joe Geldhof designated as the petitioner. Geldhof is an attorney who has worked on several citizen initiatives, including the local cruise passenger measure, which passed in 1999, and the statewide cruise ship taxation initiative adopted by Alaska voters in 2006. The citizens’ process successfully passed both measures, generating hundreds of millions of dollars for Juneau.

The citizens’ initiative on the October 7th ballot included Proposition 1, which was an amendment to Juneau’s city charter to limit CBJ’s ability to raise property taxes by lowering the maximum mill rate from 12 to 9 mills, excluding debt service. Supporters described it as a “guardrail,” meant to keep tax increases in check unless voters specifically approve them. Geldhof explained, “It puts up a wall so the government can’t raise taxes without a public vote.” He added that “the cap on property taxes was capped at nine mills, which is very close to the existing mill rate, which maintains the status quo.”

Proposition 1 is currently leading in the vote count by 195 votes, with 5,002 supporting the change to 4,807 opposed.

The Affordable Juneau Coalition also placed Proposition 2 on the ballot, proposing to remove the local sales tax from essential groceries and residential utilities. The intent was to provide some financial breathing room to households struggling with high costs for basic necessities. Proponents viewed the measure as a fairness issue, aiming to assist working families and those with fixed incomes. “It was the right thing to do… to help younger residents, especially those with families. This proposal was supported by many seniors, who already benefit from existing exemptions, to provide relief to younger residents,” said Geldhof.

Proposition 2 has passed by a wide margin, with about 69 percent of voters supporting it.

The third measure stood in stark contrast to the first two. Sponsored by the City and Borough of Juneau rather than by citizen petition, it proposed creating a seasonal sales tax structure with a higher rate of sales tax during the busy tourist season and a reduced tax percentage in the winter months. The stated goal of the CBJ proposition was to shift more of the tax burden onto visitors and reduce costs for residents during slower months. However, many voters viewed it skeptically, questioning whether it would truly solve underlying budget issues while also increasing costs during residents’ busy summer season when significant purchases are made.

Proposition 3 has been rejected decisively, with 59% voting no on CBJ’s proposed seasonal sales tax.

The local ballot outcomes, with the success of citizen proposals and the rejection of a city-led tax scheme, are being viewed as a sign of renewed confidence in citizen oversight rather than top-down policy imposition.

Amid narratives of voter apathy and disengagement, many in Juneau saw the 2025 election as a positive sign. “There’s still breath on the mirror of democracy,” said Geldhof, reflecting on months of door-knocking, petition-gathering, and community outreach.

Organizers described the campaign as “tiring but worthwhile” and a demonstration that even in a divided context, a motivated citizen base can influence local policy. The success of the coalition’s measures and the shift in leadership of one assembly seat suggest that engaged voters can still influence local governance.

Ultimately, Juneau’s 2025 election reflects a shift toward fiscal responsibility in the capital city, as voters rejected the city-driven tax plan, approved two taxpayer-centered reforms, and supported a new Assembly member advocating for fiscal restraint. If certified as expected later this month, the new measures will take effect in 2026.

Brenda Josephson is a board member of Alaska Gold Communications, Inc., the publisher of Must Read Alaska. You can contact her via email at [email protected].