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ANCHORAGE SPECIAL ELECTION -
From Don Smith & ALASKA DIGEST EMAIL NEWSLETTER
I looks as if Mr. Begich and his liberal buddies on the Anchorage Assembly got the message.......
I suspect - and I'm sure they won't admit it - that the Mayor's office conducted a survey and discovered that his attempt to BUST the "Tax Cap" by THREE MILLION DOLLARS was going down to an embarrasing defeat!
When the Assembly considers the budget they need to:
Remember that the Municipality of Anchorage has over $200 MILLION set aside in various fund balance accounts. These funds could be tapped to make up the money needed to fund the Fire Department and other budget problems.
Begich's initial budget calls for an INCREASE in his staff for the Mayor's office - while cutting elsewhere! Last Year Mayor Wuerch had 8 positions in his office in the Budget. Our new mayor is asking for 16 employees!!! Here's another place to do some cutting!
The Assembly could also look at the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau Budget of $5.5 million - if they need to find a place to CUT!
YOU SHOULD ATTEND THE NEXT BUDGET HEARING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ASSEMBLY DOESN'T GET OUT OF CONTROL......AGAIN!
FINALLY....DON'T FORGET THAT THE MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE IS $1.6 BILLION IN DEBT. ANNUAL DEBT SERVICE IS NOW $176 MILLION PER YEAR!!!!! IN 20 YEARS ANCHORAGE'S TAXPAYERS WILL PAY OUT ALMOST $3 BILLION FOR THIS DEBT!
ANCHORAGE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
This past week I had a couple of complaints from tourism folks who were quite upset that I suggested that the Assembly look into the ACVB's $5.5 Million Dollar Budget.
I served on the ACVB Board from 1975 - 1985 and have watched their budgets grow each year with basically no oversight. They just automatically receive 50% of the Anchorage Bed Tax.
I did not suggest anything other than the ACVB budget should be looked at. The Assembly should arrange for an independant financial review - to determine if part of the $5.5 million could go for other city services.
Many of the conventions that come to our city are here year after year with no promotion needed on the part of the ACVB. Many statewide organizations come to Anchorage every two to four years - simply because there are only two or three cities in Alaska that can handle their meetings. AFN shows up every year (our biggest convention) and doesn't need any prodding from the bureau.
An independant financial review would simply let the ACVB prove that they need half of the bed tax. Maybe we'd find that they could live with a little less and some of our other Municipal Services could be spared from the Mayor & Assembly's ax. Just a thought!
The Alaska "Digest" Newspaper is now available on our Web Site. Go here to view the paper on your computer.
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