Juneau residents are invited to provide comments and ask questions about the draft 2027 fiscal budget at a meeting Wednesday, April 15.<\/p>\n
Juneau is facing a budget shortfall due to lower-than-projected consumer spending and recently implemented sales-tax exemptions.<\/p>\n
Because of that, the 2027 fiscal budget aims to reduce spending by $3.9 million through budget assumptions, but without reducing services for residents. It also reduces spending on capital improvement projects by $17 million, while focusing on the maintenance of current facilities and existing structures.<\/p>\n
The budget is implementing $2.3 million in increased user fees to better match operational expenses and industry standards.<\/p>\n
The budget is also drawing $10.3 million from the City and Borough of Juneau reserves: $7.7 million will be to close the operating budget gap and another $2.6 million will be for one-time expenses.<\/p>\n
“The Assembly is now tasked with difficult decisions on how to approach this deficit, including reducing ongoing operating costs by implementing city service reductions,” a Facebook post from the City and Borough of Juneau says.<\/p>\n
The City and Borough of Juneau says input from residents can help the assembly decide how to move forward with the shortfall.<\/p>\n
The meeting is Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the assembly chambers at city hall (155 Heritage Way), but residents can also tune in through Zoom.<\/p>\n