Alaska uses a ranked choice voting system for statewide elections. This October’s local election will not use a ranked choice voting system, even if members adopt the proposed ordinance before then.
Local Government
Cost of living initiatives fall short on signatures to make Juneau’s local ballot
The three petitions seek to cap the local property tax rate, remove sales tax on food and utilities, and make in-person voting the default again in Juneau’s local elections. Advocates will get another 10 days to get the remaining signatures.
The Juneau School District will pay for more of local Lingít language immersion program
After multiple meetings and extended debate, the school board has agreed to fund more of the Lingít language immersion program in the upcoming school year – even amid statewide school budgeting concerns.
Some Juneau residents want police to crack down on homeless encampments. City officials say that might not help.
A 2024 Supreme Court decision allows cities to ban people from camping in public places, but Juneau city policy allows what’s called “dispersed camping” on unimproved public land.
Juneau Assembly considers seasonal sales tax to capitalize on summer tourism
Some Assembly members say the change would allow residents to exempt food and utilities from local taxes while keeping the city’s overall sales tax revenue mostly intact.
The Juneau Assembly plans to raise the property tax rate. Here’s how that could cost you.
Essentially, if the mill rate goes up and property value does too, you’re most likely going to see a higher property tax bill. In contrast, even if the mill rate goes up, but your property value goes down enough, you may not see much of a difference.