Keeping Juneau affordable means setting the right priorities
- Guest contributor
- Sep 18
- 3 min read
By Jodi Garza
Running a business in Juneau isn't easy. Our weather is unpredictable, our geography complex, and our economy constantly shifting. At Alaska Seaplanes we live these realities every day. We fly families to medical appointments, connect communities with essential services, and provide a lifeline across our region. That perspective has taught us how important it is to keep Juneau affordable — for families, for small businesses with razor-thin margins, and for the regional communities that depend on Juneau.
The truth is, Juneau is becoming unaffordable. When families leave, when workers relocate, or when businesses close, the entire community loses. That's why I support the ballot measures proposed by the Affordable Juneau Coalition. This isn't about politics — it's about priorities.
I'll admit: I'm not usually a fan of ballot initiatives that dictate the city budget. They can be a blunt tool. But many Juneau families and small businesses have had to make tough choices for years — finding efficiencies, cutting back, and setting clear priorities. Between rising property taxes and the proposal for a seasonal sales tax, it's clear our community needs stability. A cap on the mill rate would provide that. When property taxes rise, the ripple effects touch everyone: families face higher housing costs, small businesses raise prices or cut staff, and nonprofits struggle to stretch their dollars.
Some will say these initiatives are about cutting government. They aren't. They're about ensuring government uses resources wisely and focuses on essentials. In business, when fuel prices spike, we don't simply pass the entire cost to customers — we find efficiencies, adjust, and prioritize what matters most. Government should be held to the same standard.
As for the idea of a seasonal sales tax: it's a good idea with good intentions — shifting costs to tourists and easing the burden on locals. But the unintended consequences outweigh the benefits. Seasonal taxes create confusion for businesses, inject volatility into city revenues, and hit working families hardest.
The numbers prove it. Sales tax revenue is already 120% higher in summer than winter, and even excluding tourist-related businesses, it's still 84% higher, according to a 2025 JEDC study. That surge shows Juneau already captures substantial revenue from summer visitors. Adding a 4% seasonal swing would destabilize small businesses and make life harder for families who can't stock up on essentials in winter to avoid higher rates.
Long-term stability depends on diversification. Sales tax already represents about 30% of CBJ's revenues. Our economy rests on three pillars: government, mining, and tourism. Government jobs are declining, mining has a finite life, and while tourism has grown, new cruise ship passenger caps beginning in 2026 — and infrastructure limits on visitor spending — will restrain future growth. Is this really the moment to gamble with a seasonal tax scheme? The answer is no.
And here's the kicker: the city already has the resources it needs. According to the FY23-24 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, CBJ closed FY24 with an unrestricted fund balance of $30.3 million. With reserves like these, we don't need risky experiments — we need responsible choices.
This fall, voters face a clear choice: continue down a path of rising taxes and higher costs, or reset our priorities to keep Juneau affordable and sustainable. For me, the answer is clear. Families and businesses thrive when Juneau thrives. That's why I urge you to vote yes, yes, no. Let's choose affordability, stability and sustainability – the essentials for Juneau's future.
• Jodi Garza is the president of Alaska Seaplanes.
