The myth of runaway local government growth

(City and Borough of Juneau photo)

By Bruce Botelho

In the heat of public debate over how the city has managed its fiscal affairs, there has been ample opportunity to play fast and loose with the facts. One friend who has been struggling with how to vote on the ballot propositions recently asked: “Has the number of city employees really doubled over the past five years?”

The answer can be found in the city’s publication of its annual budget.  FY 26’s can be found here:   https://cbj.openbook.questica.com/#/spotlight/9cea2801-6d50-4f27-9372-2c10103bc4f8.

And, no, the number of city employees has not doubled over the past five years. In fact, a look back as far as 2011 shows that overall growth has been minimal. That year the City and Borough of Juneau had 1,818.5 FTE’s (fulltime equivalents). This year’s total is 1,898.57 FTE’s, an increase of 80 employees over 14 years.

For many either number may seem too high, but when one reflects that it includes employees of the school district, Bartlett Regional Hospital, Juneau International Airport, docks and harbors, water and sewer, and Eaglecrest, along with traditional functions like police, fire and emergency medical services and maintenance of streets, then one can begin to appreciate the breadth of services we expect our local government to provide.

Of particular interest are the areas of growth and the areas of decline. In 2011 Bartlett Regional Hospital had 435 FTE’s. In the immediate aftermath of COVID that number had risen to 713 before declining to 638 this year. Since 2011 the school district has experienced a steady decline, from 750 FTE’s to 559 this year. To my eye, the numbers illustrate a local government attuned to the community’s needs and willing to adjust its resources accordingly.

• Bruce Botelho is a former Juneau mayor and Alaska attorney general.