The Anchorage Assembly took steps on Friday to limit Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson’s spending power and increase transparency, following allegations from his former municipal manager that he was authorizing improper contracts.
The Assembly approved three ordinances to give the body greater oversight of city spending.
The allegations were sent in a letter by Demboski’s legal team last week and accused Bronson of illegal contracting, attempting to influence the outcome of a criminal case, wrongful firing, and creating and tolerating a hostile workplace, as well as other unethical behavior.
Additionally, new allegations of the administration spying on employees accessing the city’s Ombudsman’s Office surfaced this week. The Ombudsman reviews complaints from city employees, including things like workplace harassment and corruption. Spying on employees who attempt to access the office is a serious breach of conduct.
While the recent allegations have dominated the news cycle, issues of improper contracting have been a theme. Last September, the administration approved a contractor to start work on the Tudor Navigation Center without Assembly approval, ultimately costing taxpayers over $3 million in illegally spent funding.
The Assembly’s progressive majority voted Friday evening to safeguard the municipality’s finances and workforce with the following emergency legislation:
-
- A 60-day emergency ordinance that will require Assembly approval for all contracts over $10,000. Previously, Assembly approval was required for contracts over $30,000 for sole source and $500,000 for competitive contracts.
- Automatic extension of boards and commission appointees for 60 days. This is largely due to several ethics board positions expiring in the near future. Additionally, several boards are close to not having enough members to meet. The Assembly wants to ensure stability and continuation of the work done by this and other boards.
- An ordinance clarifying that the Ombudsman has the power to review confidential employee files to investigate and respond to complaints. While the Assembly generally understands that the ombudsman already has these powers, the administration has not been cooperating with requests for information.
Additionally, Assembly member Christopher Constant discussed potential policy to create an open checkbook law similar to what is currently required by the state. This requires all checks written by the state to be posted in an online database for the public to see. The Assembly is also adding an open contracts law, which will require contracts to be published as well.
“What we did today proves that we are looking out for the people and for the employees of the municipality and that we are taking this seriously,” Assembly member Felix Rivera stated after the ordinances passed.
