Mayor Suzanne LaFrance’s $639 million budget for 2025 was passed by the Anchorage Assembly on Tuesday, prioritizing public safety and snow removal. The city’s tax limitation limits the amount collected from property taxes, keeping the general government budget at $235,000.
Assembly Chairman Chris Constant stated, “It addresses critical needs in the city that the voters and our constituents have been demanding that we address.” According to Mayor LaFrance, the budget includes money to raise snow plow operator wages, guarantee efficiency, and lower turnover. “We’re committed to ensuring that taxpayers get the best value for their money,” she said.
In addition to preventative winter shelter measures, the 56th Avenue facility will get year-round shelter financing. Under city contracts, hotels will continue to provide temporary shelter. According to LaFrance, this approach ensures that shelter needs are pre-planned, moving them away from reactive crisis management.
The mobile crisis teams’ round-the-clock operations and anchorage safety patrols’ increased financing are examples of public safety improvements. The safety patrol, which was formerly under the Health department’s supervision, is now heavily funded to enhance its offering.
LaFrance acknowledged her administration’s commitment to public safety and reaffirmed that maintaining anchorage’s safety is the government’s top priority. At the assembly meeting, a proposal to research civilian control of the anchorage police department was turned down.
LaFrance argued against the plan, pointing to a third-party review still in progress and offering suggestions and comments. The country’s unanimous decision for the Anchorage 2025 Budget demonstrates its dedication to meeting anchorages’ urgent needs regarding shelter availability, snow removal, and public safety.
This news article was originally published by Alaska’s News Source.
