Public forums set for residents to weigh in on CBJ, school district budgets
- Mark Sabbatini
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
School board to host session Thursday evening at TMMS; three city workshops scheduled between Feb. 18 and March 3
By Mark Sabbatini
Juneau Independent
Juneau residents wanting to weigh in on how their money is spent by local leaders are getting a chance starting Thursday while proposed budgets for the coming year are being drafted by the city and school district.
The Juneau Board of Education is hosting a budget forum from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Thunder Mountain Middle School Library. The City and Borough of Juneau has scheduled three budget workshops on Feb. 18, Feb. 24 and March 3 at various locations.
A press release issued by the city Monday states the workshops are intended to allow participants to "take a hands-on approach to providing input about the city’s upcoming budgeting process in the face of both challenges and opportunities."
"Participants will respond to different scenarios that impact the city budget in this collaborative activity and small group discussion," the release notes. "Workshops are expected to run 60 to 90 minutes and all input gathered will be shared with the Assembly."
Assembly members have stated they are facing an unusually challenging budget cycle due to voters passing two tax-cut measures that will result in the loss of roughly $12 million in revenue. The city’s operating and capital projects budget is about $200 million (excluding entities such as the Juneau School District and Bartlett Regional Hospital, which brings the total budget to about $478 million).
Workshops are scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the Filipino Community Hall; at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library; and at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3 at the Douglas Public Library. People can also offer input at juneau.org/community-compass, emailing boroughassembly@juneau.gov or via an online survey.
The public will also be able to weigh in while the budgets are being finalized ahead of the fiscal year that starts July 1. The district’s proposed budget is scheduled to be officially introduced during a special board meeting at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 19. The city’s draft budget is scheduled to be introduced at a special Assembly meeting April 1.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.
