"Bob Bartholomew"

Even though it plans to adopt a final version by mid-June, Assembly members and city staff say they may have to revisit the budget later on if the state’s budget isn’t finalized in time.

Rogers comes from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, where he directs administrative services. He will replace Bob Bartholomew, who is retiring in July.

As of this month, the majority of Amazon purchases made by Juneau customers will now collect local sales tax. A plan is in the works to standardize sales tax collection across the state.

The Juneau Assembly will meet as the finance committee each Wednesday through the end of May to refine the budget. As proposed, the city would have to draw down $500,000 from reserves.

Canadian power company Hydro One isn’t interested in selling Alaska Electric Light & Power Company. But the Juneau Assembly still wants to study the prospect of a municipal-owned utility.

A state official estimates the rating downgrades since last year could cost the state an extra $5 million to $6 million over 20 years on a $100 million transportation bond issuance.

The Juneau Assembly is deciding this week which projects would be eligible for sales tax funding. Voters will likely be asked in October whether to extend 1 percent of the local sales tax for another five years.

Uber and Lyft are negotiating with the City and Borough of Juneau over the collection of the city’s sales tax. The companies insist it’s the drivers’ responsibility to collect and remit the 5 percent tax on fares.

Juneau property owners should have received property value notices that were mailed out last week. About 60 percent of properties saw their tax bill increase. These went up an average 3.5 percent; though some saw a hike as high as 10 percent.

The city’s budgeting process will play out at Juneau Assembly Finance Committee meetings scheduled each Wednesday from April 5 until the budget is finalized.