MY TURN: Affordability should be top of mind for Juneau voters

Published 10:30 am Wednesday, September 30, 2026

I dropped off my property tax check this morning. It was our largest expenditure for September. Affordability is the key word for many people this election cycle.

Proposition A: Unless you drive the car with the bumper sticker I saw today that says “I Love Potholes” you probably should consider voting for this Proposition as it includes roads, street maintenance, and snow removal.

If you read Proposition A, you will see it includes several other basic functions of City and Borough of Juneau government.

Proposition B: No. We just voted last year to go from 12 mils limit to 9 mils limit. Keep it at 9. Housing should be affordable and raising taxes on housing does not make housing more affordable.

Force questionable expenditures like Telephone Hill and a gondola to come from a different source other than property tax or go to a vote of the people.

The 9 mils limit has some “off ramps” safeguards. First, bonds passed by Juneau voters are not counted in the 9-mil limit. Secondly, the CBJ has a “Rainy Day” fund with about $20 million in it; however, if you use it, you must have a plan to pay it back.

Third, the Assembly may levy a tax exceeding 9 mils after seeking and securing voter approval by a majority of those voting on the question at a general or special election.

Prop C: No. This is a tax increase. It makes it less affordable to live in Juneau from April through September.

Prop C is permanent, unlike the temporary 3% on the ballot and the temporary 1% which will probably be on the ballot next year. The voter-approved sales taxes which are “temporary” expire after five years without voters’ re-approval. This gives the taxpayers a chance every five years to make their voices heard.

When it comes to “recreation,” I wonder if are voters aware that the Assembly allocated $350,000 (and gave out $332,500) for CBJ youth activity grants from the already 1% temporary sales tax in 2026?

Here’s where it went:

Youth Baseball, Softball $31,805; Glacier Swim Club Youth Competitive Swimming $14,500; Hoop Rats Basketball $12,350; Juneau Douglas Ice Association /JDIA Youth Hockey $7,970; Juneau Nordic Ski Club/ Juneau Nordic Youth Ski Program Expansion $14,200; Juneau Skating Club/ Youth Ice Skating $22,000; Juneau Ski Club Course, Athlete & Safety Equipment $7,500; Juneau Soccer Club $26,000; Juneau Trap Team Season $6,250; JYFL Supporting & Promoting Physical Fitness, Mental Health, Safety & Character $23,200; Juneau Youth Wresting $10,000; Midnight Suns Baseball /Youth Baseball $24,000; Midnight Suns Fastpitch Softball Association $18,000; She Jumps Outdoor Recreation & Mentorship for Girls in Juneau $5,000.

The Program Amount for Sports was $222,775 and the Total FY26 amount with Arts and Academics came to $332,500.

Also, in the CBJ 2026 budget allocation to the Juneau School District, $1.2 million for high school activities and $90,000 for middle school activities were allocated.

Youth activities are very important to me; they can make a difference. Several of the for-profit and non-profit groups sponsor youth activities on their own. Some use pull tab allocations or organizational grants and sponsorships. Juneau Community Foundation has been generous to youth, especially through grants and scholarships in several areas including making sure free school meals are available to all.

We can do better within the framework of our current budget revenue.

The sales tax exemption for both essential food and non-commercial utilities which was overwhelming passed last year has helped make Juneau more affordable for many Juneau families.

This permanent 1% seasonal sales tax is intended only to help fund both indoor and outdoor recreation within the CBJ. Proposition C would have us paying 1% more in sales tax every summer season.

This proposition is permanent; permanent to me means locked in and now is not time to lock in a 1% seasonal sales tax without knowing what the community will see for bond propositions next fall for dealing with Valley flooding protection or for continuing our focus on affordable housing.

Adding a 1% seasonal sales tax does not make Juneau more affordable.

We do not know what the revenue stream actually is for this current 2027 budget. Let’s make decisions based on solid information.

Vote no on B and C.

Ken Koelsch has been a Juneau resident since 1968.