The Anchorage Assembly is considering a special election on a proposed sales tax to fund property tax relief, public facilities, and amenities.
The Anchorage Assembly is considering a number of ballot measures to institute a sales tax in the municipality. They passed a resolution paving the way for a possible special election on the tax issue later this year. For the special election to happen, the Assembly would first need to vote to send a sales tax ballot measure to voters. Assembly members will revisit the issue and hear public testimony on March 4th. This comes as an effort by the Anchorage Economic Development Corp.
The proposed version would establish a 3% tax on most retail goods and services for seven years. Two-thirds of the tax revenue would be used for property tax relief, and the remaining 1% would go into a trust fund that would pay for building new public facilities and amenities, like trailside facilities and recreation centers. At Tuesday’s meeting, several Assembly members said they need more time to evaluate the different options and create the best tax proposal for voters. Assembly Vice Chair Meg Zaletel and Assembly member Anna Brawley pushed for a special election instead, and members narrowly approved the move in a 7-5 vote. The resolution dictates that an election would be held no sooner than August 1st and no later than November 30th, but it depends on Assembly approval of a ballot measure. The Project Anchorage proposal has been met with both enthusiasm and criticism by residents and city leaders. Some, like Sulte and Rivera, see it as a way to reinvest in the city, transform its public amenities, and diversify the municipal tax base. Proponents estimate the tax would generate at least $180 million a year in revenue and bring about a 16% drop in property taxes. That’s about $1,195 off the tax bill for a $450,000 single-family home. The proposed tax has been criticized as primarily benefiting business owners and property owners, especially those out of state.
SALES TAX ANCHORAGE ASSEMBLY SPECIAL ELECTION PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PUBLIC FACILITIES
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