Every election cycle in Anchorage, candidates for Assembly and School Board eat up most of the media coverage, but every ballot comes packed with propositions and bonds. In Anchorage, bonds are used to approve large spending on things like education and roads. Propositions are similarly important: In past years, voters used propositions for major changes like the sale of ML&P to Chugach Electric and establishing alcohol and marijuana taxes.
Proposition 1: Capital Improvements for the Anchorage School District
The Anchorage School District has 91 buildings and 7.8 million square feet of facilities that require continual maintenance, much of it funded by voter-approved bonds. Last year’s $111 million bond narrowly failed, seemingly weighed down by a proposed rebuild of Inlet View Elementary.
But this time around voters strongly supported Proposition 1, with nearly $38 million to fund various maintenance projects and building improvements that will help ensure healthy learning environments for Anchorage kids. The highlights:
- Three elementary schools — College Gate, Kasuun, and Kincaid — will get much-needed roof replacements and seismic upgrades. This will help prevent things like leaky roofs and address structural issues, such as whether the buildings can withstand heavy snow loads in the winters.
- Six elementary schools — Birchwood, Bowman, Northwood, Ocean View, Spring Hill and Trailside — will get security vestibules, adding to 33 others already installed. The vestibules improve entrances, add bullet-resistant panels, and allow the school to lock all doors from the main office and keep visitors in one area before they can enter the building
An added plus: Since the district is retiring more of its existing bond debt than the 2023 bond costs, property owners will actually see a decrease in their property taxes.
Proposition 6: Creation of the Chugach State Park Access Service Area
Chugach State Park, Anchorage’s scenic backdrop, is one of the city’s greatest assets. As city dwellers, we are fortunate that a short drive easily connects us with Alaska’s natural beauty and a gateway to hiking, biking, skiing, climbing and more. But all that great stuff attracts lots of users, which limits access.
Should you even try to navigate the Glen Alps parking lot on a sunny, summer day? Approval of Proposition 6, which creates a Chugach State Park Access Service Area within the Anchorage Bowl, offers hope for the future. It will allow bond or tax proposals to come before Anchorage voters for funding projects to improve park access like trailhead developments, along with road and parking improvements.
Proposition 11: Change Management Authority for the Municipality of Anchorage Trust Fund from the Treasurer to a Fiduciary Board
Did you know the Municipality of Anchorage has an approximately $400 million trust fund? Since its creation 24 years ago, the trust fund has paid $189 million in dividends, which offsets property taxes.
In a boon for the long-term viability of the fund, voters passed Proposition 11, which had unanimous support from the Assembly and Mayor Dave Bronson. The approval means the trust will shift from a sole fiduciary model of governance, where the municipal treasurer held all responsibility, to a new Board of Trustees model, which is cited as a best practice in the Uniform Prudent Investor Act, which governs major investment funds across the country.
Proposition 12: Residential Real Property Tax Exemption Increase
After the majority of Anchorage homeowners saw their assessed property values increase in 2022, often by more than 10%, voters resoundingly approved Proposition 12. The prop language simply stated it “would increase the residential real property tax exemption to 40% of the assessed value, up to a maximum of $75,000.” The proposition will slightly shift residential property taxes: Owners of homes valued at $900,000 or above will pay slightly more, and those valued under $899,000 will pay slightly less, with the biggest benefit being to those who own homes valued at $300,000 and less.
Proposition 14: Dedicating Marijuana Retail Tax Proceeds to Child Care and Early Education
Affordable child care is becoming harder and harder to find. The tide might turn a bit thanks to approval of Proposition 14, which dedicates existing marijuana tax revenue — around $6 million a year — to child care and early education programs. That will translate to about 800 additional preschool spots, prioritizing programs that make child care more affordable.
Investing in early childhood education is shown to lead to increased brain development, ensures better access to nutritious foods, and overall leads to better long-term education outcomes. Plus, the shift of funds will not impact city services and ultimately lower the tax cap by about $1 million.
Proposition A: Anchorage Parks & Recreation Service Area Capital Improvement Bonds
Proposition A, the traditional parks and recreation bond package, easily passed, ensuring multiple trail improvements including the long-desired connection of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and the Ship Creek Trail. It also funds improvements at both Spenard and Fairvew recreation centers, development of a chalet at Cuddy Midtown Family Park, inclusive playgrounds and more.
