Vote no on all three ballot propositions

By Kimberly Metcalfe

There are three ballot propositions on the municipal ballot this year and I am voting no on all three of them.

Propositions 1 and 2 will leave huge holes in the CBJ budget, and tie the hands of our Assembly to deal with emergencies and fund a myriad of services that we all enjoy. While I would like to see cruise ship tourists pay more in city sales taxes, I'm not sure that raising taxes on residents during the summer months makes sense. I favor the status quo (no on all three ballot propositions) and finding other ways to tax the cruise industry that is doing so much to destroy our quality of life without taxing those of us who live here.

I've seen several letters that list the first things that will be axed if Ballot Propositions 1 and 2 pass. Eaglecrest and the downtown pool are two of the big-ticket items that will probably be shut down due to lack of city funding. Other items that influence our quality of life that haven't been mentioned are grants the city gives to partner agencies and other non-profits. If the propositions pass, grant funding will undoubtedly be cut entirely or severely slashed. The Assembly is currently funding only 40% of the grants until after the results of the election are known, and if they are able they will fund the other 60% after Jan. 9, 2026.

In fiscal year 2026 the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council received $210,080 to fund grants for the arts. The Juneau Community Foundation received $2,053,900 for social service grants. The Association for the Education of Young Children received $1,846,933 for childcare resources, and the Better Capital City fund received $655,000 for KTOO's Gavel Alaska and the Alaska Committee.

CBJ grants also help fund the Coastal Alaska Avalanche Program ($24,000 for a backcountry avalanche forecast program), the Downtown Business Association ($125,000 to promote a vibrant and sustainable downtown), the Marie Drake Planetarium ($78,000 for astronomy and science education), Heatsmart ($222,933 for heat pump consultation and financial assistance), REACH Inc ($100,000 for services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities), Sealaska Heritage Institute ($30,000 for Celebration, a biennial event that draws 5,000 people to Juneau), and Tlingit & Haida Early Education ($1,000,000 for tenant improvements at Floyd Dryden to establish a licensed childcare facility).

Other grants funded by the CBJ can be seen at: https://juneau.org/grants#:~:text=The%20Alaska%20Committee,not%20limited%20to%20the%20following:

Which grants will go unfunded if we cap the mill rate, eliminate sales taxes, and restrict the Assembly's ability to raise future funds?

If you are thinking about voting to cap the mill rate on property taxes, think about who will benefit the most. Who is underwriting this effort? They are the owners of million-dollar-plus homes and large-scale businesses. And they can well afford to pay their fair share. Please join me in voting no on all three ballot propositions.

• Kimberly Metcalfe is a lifelong Juneau resident.