Today, Assembly Members Randy Sulte and Felix Rivera have released a final draft compromise version of AO 2024-105, the Project Anchorage proposal, currently moving through the public process. The sponsors published the draft with intent to introduce the ordinance and a corresponding memo detailing changes later this month as AO 2024-105(SA). Read the draft ordinance here: www.muni.org/projectanchorage.
“I'm grateful to the hundreds of residents throughout the Municipality that have emailed, called, participated in the multiple public hearings, and let your voices be heard in this process," said Assembly Member Sulte. “We've listened to what you said and have made significant changes over the last few months to further right-size the proposal for Anchorage."
Legislative Process
The latest and only active version of Project Anchorage, AO 2024-105(SA) is the result of the January 17 Sales Tax Special Committee meeting and the sponsors' review of proposed amendments from multiple Assembly members. With an upcoming Assembly worksession, two town halls and a continued public hearing, the sponsors intend to receive feedback from members of the Assembly and public alike to inform amendments to the version after the public hearing closes.
“AO 2024-105(SA) represents a success of the public process and a thoughtful compromise of the proposed sales tax which addresses much of the concerns we've heard and still has viability to succeed at the ballot," said Assembly Member Rivera. “We will continue to listen to the community all the way through the day we vote and look forward to continuing to engage in this vital project to ensure we can be self-reliant and own our destiny as a city."
A final worksession on AO 2024-105(SA) has been scheduled for Friday, February 28 from 1 to 2pm at City Hall, Room 155. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person, although worksessions are not usually an opportunity to provide testimony. The meeting will be livestreamed on the MOA Meetings YouTube channel.
March Town Halls
Members Sulte and Rivera will be hosting two town halls in early March to continue to engage with our community on this critical project. The first town hall will take place on Wednesday, March 5 at 6pm at the Wilda Marston Theatre in the Loussac Library. The second town hall will take place on Saturday, March 8 at 4pm at the Community Meeting Room in the Mountain View Library.
To accommodate these town halls, Members Sulte and Rivera will be asking their colleagues to continue the final public hearing and debate on AO 2024-105(SA) to the March 18 Regular Assembly Meeting.
About Project Anchorage
Project Anchorage is an initiative developed by a coalition of Anchorage businesses leaders and the Anchorage Economic Development Authority (AEDC) with the goal of revitalizing the economy through the development of local projects and providing meaningful property tax relief, funded by a temporary 3% sales tax.
If approved by the Assembly by a two-thirds majority, AO 2024-105 would establish the ballot proposition language for qualified voters to consider establishing the sales tax in Anchorage Municipal Charter.
Options for Public Testimony
The next public hearing on AO 2024-105 is scheduled for the Regular Assembly Meeting on Tuesday, March 4. The public is invited to share input on the Project Anchorage proposal:
- Provide testimony during the March 4 meeting at the Loussac Library Assembly Chambers
- Sign up by 5pm on March 3 to provide testimony during the meeting by phone: ancgov.info/testify
- Submit written testimony: ancgov.info/testify
- Email the Mayor and all Assembly Members:
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CONTACT
Randy Sulte | District 6, randy.sulte@anchorageak.gov
Felix Rivera | District 4, felix.rivera@anchorageak.gov