Assembly begins budget review process at April 5 Finance Committee meeting

The Juneau Assembly will begin its multi-week review of the City and Borough of Juneau’s fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget during the Assembly Finance Committee meeting on Saturday, April 5 at 8:30 am. Join the committee meeting in person at City Hall, online at juneau.zoom.us/j/93917915176, or call 1-253-215-8782 with webinar ID: 939 1791 5176.

The City Manager will introduce the proposed budget during the Special Assembly meeting preceding the Assembly Finance Committee on April 5. The manager’s citywide budget proposal, which includes the school district, hospital, and all city enterprises, totals $480 million—down $8.9 million from the FY25 Amended Budget. The budget aims to maintain status quo operations while advancing Assembly priorities and ensuring continued services to the community. It proposes a property tax increase of 0.15 mills, resulting in a total mill levy rate of 10.19 mills.

The budget reflects revised projections for sales and tobacco tax revenues based on updated forecasts and actual collection trends. Property tax revenue has seen a slight increase of just $200K after factoring in exemptions, including those for seniors, veterans, hardship cases, and economic development. This amount includes the proposed 0.15 mill increase. Borough-wide property valuations have remained stable, with a modest 0.3% increase in FY26 compared to FY25.

Expenditures in FY26 are largely in line with current services, with non-personnel costs in General Government increasing by less than one percent. The primary uncertainty lies in personnel costs, particularly in relation to the ongoing collective bargaining agreements. Additionally, costs for education funding continue to shift from the State to the City, adding $570K to the City’s FY26 expenditures. This cost shift does not result in additional funding to the School District.

As proposed, the recurring FY26 budget is balanced after consideration of a $1.75 million lapse and has no impact on general fund balance. The proposed budget also includes $4.4 million in one-time expenditures. These one-time expenses are proposed to be funded from the City’s unrestricted general fund balance.

The budget includes the following major components, including transfers between funds:

  • $95 million for the Juneau School District: A $9.6 million (11.2%) increase over FY25, primarily for employee wage and benefit adjustments and reduced vacancy rates due to the stabilization of the School District after facility closures and consolidations last year.
  • $211.1 million for Enterprise Funds (hospital, airport, water and wastewater utilities, docks, and harbors): A $1.2 million (0.6%) increase, reflecting small inflationary pressures.
  • $148.3 million for General Government: A $13.7 million (8.5%) decrease, largely due to one-time capital investments and community grants issued in FY25.
  • $61.1 million for Capital Improvement Projects: A $19.6 million (24.2%) decrease, due to large one-time appropriations in FY25 for public safety communication infrastructure, a re-write of CBJ’s Title 49 code, and glacier outburst flood mitigation.
  • $9.6 million for Debt Service: Flat compared to FY25, including the first payments for the public safety communication and wastewater utility infrastructure bonds that were approved by voters on the October 2024 ballot.

Read CBJ’s proposed Biennial Budget for fiscal year 2026. The City Manager’s Budget Message is on pages 19-22.

For more information, contact Finance Director Angie Flick at (907) 586-5215 or [email protected].

 

April 4th, 2025|

Final reminder: CBJ property tax payments due September 30

2024 property tax payments are due on Monday, September 30. Property tax payments must be received or postmarked by September 30 to be considered timely. Payments received or postmarked after September 30 will be considered late and will incur late fees.

Property tax payments can be submitted:

  • By mail to CBJ Treasury, 155 Heritage Way, Juneau, AK 99801
  • In person (cash or check) at City Hall during regular business hours (*Credit cards are not accepted when paying in person)
  • Dropped in one of the City’s three dropbox locations at Super Bear IGA, Foodland IGA, or City Hall (*Use only payment drop boxes—do not put payments in CBJ Elections ballot drop boxes)
  • Online by ACH/eCheck or credit card through the InvoiceCloud online payment portal (*There is a convenience fee to use a credit card but it’s free to pay with ACH/eCheck )

Extended Cash Office Hours

The CBJ Cash Office, located on the first floor of City Hall off Heritage Way, will be open for extended hours from Monday, September 23 through Monday, September 30:

Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The Cash Office remains closed on Sunday.

Postmarks

CBJ property taxes submitted by mail must have a United States Postal Service (USPS) postmark dated on or before September 30, 2024, to avoid late fees and penalties. Taxpayers who send their payments by mail are cautioned that the USPS only postmarks certain mail depending on the type of postage used and may not postmark on the same day the item was deposited in the mail by the sender. If a payment is received after the deadline with a late or missing postmark, the payment is considered late, and penalties will be added to your bill. Visit juneau.org/finance/understanding-postmarks for more information. Avoid any postmark confusion and pay online with InvoiceCloud.

CAUTION: Online bill payments made through online banking systems (for example, via a “Bill Pay” tool in the taxpayer’s personal banking account) are often sent by bulk mail using a permit imprint and do not include a postmark. These payments can take up to two weeks or more to reach our office and will be considered late if received after September 30th.

Flood Damage

If your home or property was damaged in the flooding, you are encouraged to request partial property tax relief from the CBJ Assessor’s Office. Impacted property owners who are ready to take this step are welcome to fill out the Disaster Relief form and return it by email along with photos of damage, to [email protected] or by postal mail to 155 Heritage Way, Juneau, Alaska 99801. If you have questions, you can send them to the email address or call (907) 586-5215 ext 4033.

Please note that you will still need to pay the full amount of your property taxes by the deadline to avoid penalties, and refunds will be issued as applications are processed. We understand this is a challenging time for many. Unfortunately, City code does not allow for extensions of the property tax deadline, even under these extreme circumstances.

Questions

If you have questions regarding payment of your property taxes, contact the Treasury Office at [email protected], or call (907) 586-5215 ext. 4907. Please include your parcel number or the physical address that specifically identifies your property with any inquiries.

September 23rd, 2024|

Public comment open for Capital City Fire Rescue FY23-FY25 spending plan of Title III funds

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 was reauthorized and signed into law as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by President Biden on November 15, 2021. This reauthorization allows for new uses of Title III payments to states. The City and Borough of Juneau’s Capital City Fire and Rescue program proposes the FY23-25 spending plan for eligible expenditures under Title III. The full proposal can be found on the City’s website, at the link below.

Following the 45-day public comment period, and after taking into full consideration the comments received, the City and Borough of Juneau will issue a decision on the proposed use of funds. This proposal will not pass through the City and Borough of Juneau’s Assembly for public hearing. The FY23 and FY24 funds have already been appropriated and the revenue received with the adoption of the FY23 and FY24 city budgets, and the Assembly appropriated the funds to Capital City Fire and Rescue for the purpose outlined in this document in FY25 through the adoption of the FY25 City Budget.

Comments may be submitted in writing by October 22, 2024 to the City’s Finance Office via email to [email protected] or regular mail to 155 Heritage Way, Juneau, Alaska 99801.

FY23-25 CCFR Secure Rural Schools Act Title III – County Funds (SEC. 301-304) Spending Plan Proposal

September 6th, 2024|

REMINDER: CBJ property tax payments due September 30

Please be aware that 2024 property tax payments are due on Monday, September 30. Property tax payments must be received or postmarked by September 30 to be considered timely. Payments received or postmarked after September 30 will be considered late and will incur late fees.

Property tax payments can be submitted:

  • By mail to CBJ Treasury, 155 Heritage Way, Juneau, AK 99801
  • By cash or check in person at City Hall Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Credit cards are not accepted when paying in person)
  • Dropped in one of the City’s dropbox locations at Super Bear IGA, Foodland IGA, or City Hall
  • By ACH/eCheck or Credit Card through the InvoiceCloud online payment portal at http://www.invoicecloud.com/cityandboroughofjuneauak. There is a convenience fee to use a credit card, but it’s free to pay with ACH/eCheck. Set up a recurring payment or schedule payment in advance so you don’t forget!

Your mortgage lender may be paying your property taxes on your behalf. Note that many lenders do not make tax payments until close to the due date. Talk to your lender if you are unsure they will make a payment, or check your balance on InvoiceCloud. CBJ cannot confirm if a lender intends to make a payment on your behalf.

Please note: As of 2023, CBJ no longer offers a direct debit auto pay for property tax bills. Payments by ACH must be made through InvoiceCloud, initiated by the customer.

Postmarks

CBJ Property Taxes submitted by mail must have a United States Postal Service (USPS) postmark dated on or before September 30, 2024, to avoid late fees and penalties. Taxpayers who send their payments by mail are cautioned that the USPS only postmarks certain mail depending on the type of postage used and may not postmark on the same day the item was deposited in the mail by the sender. If a payment is received after the deadline with a late or missing postmark, the payment is considered late, and penalties will be added to your bill. Visit juneau.org/finance/understanding-postmarks for more information. Avoid any postmark confusion and pay online with InvoiceCloud.

CAUTION: Online bill payments made through online banking systems (for example, via a Bill Pay tool in the taxpayer’s personal banking account) are often sent by bulk mail using a permit imprint and do not include a postmark. These payments can take up to two weeks or more to reach our office and will be considered late if received after September 30th.

Extended Cash Office Hours

To facilitate timely property tax payments, the CBJ Cash Office at City Hall will be open extended hours until 5:30 p.m., September 23-27, & Monday September 30, in addition to Saturday, September 28, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Property Owner’s Responsibility

All property owners are responsible for ensuring their payments are timely in accordance with the payment effective dates noted above. All property owners are responsible for determining the property tax liability for each of their parcels and identifying payments to their specific parcels. The property owner is liable for taxes, penalty, and interest on their property even if they do not receive their property tax bill.

If you have questions regarding payment of your property taxes, contact the Treasury Office at [email protected], or call (907) 586-5215 ext. 4907. Please include your parcel number or the physical address that specifically identifies your property with any inquiries.

Flood Damage

If your home or property was damaged in the flooding, you are encouraged to request partial property tax relief from the CBJ Assessor’s Office. However, please be aware that at first you will still need to pay the full amount listed in your 2024 tax notice by September 30. Then you will be issued a refund as relief applications are processed.

This may seem frustrating, especially when you are dealing with many other challenges in the wake of the flood. However, many tax procedures—including the September 30 deadline—are part of the municipal code and are legally binding for both CBJ and residents. The Assessor’s Office will make every effort to process applications as swiftly as possible so that those affected are able to receive relief soon.

If you are not yet ready to prepare your paperwork, you still have time—the Assessor’s Office will provide more information and guidance in the coming days. Property owners who are ready to take next steps now are welcome to fill out the Disaster Relief form and return it by email along with photos of damage, to [email protected] or by postal mail to 155 Heritage Way, Juneau, Alaska 99801.  If you have questions, you can send them to the email address or call (907) 586-5215 ext 4033.

August 30th, 2024|

Watch your mailbox for 2024 property tax bills

The City and Borough of Juneau has mailed out the 2024 annual property tax bills, so property owners should expect to receive them in the mail soon. If you don’t receive your bill over the coming days, please reach out to CBJ Accounts Receivable at [email protected] or (907) 586-5215 ext. 4907. Please include your parcel number or physical property address in any communications so staff can quickly locate your account.

Payments & Effective Dates

Property tax bills can be paid anytime through September 30, 2024. Payments must be received or postmarked on or before September 30 to be considered timely. Property owners have several options to make a payment—please note the effective dates for each payment option.

Pay by cash or check:

  • In person at City Hall – effective the date the payment is received
  • By mail – effective the USPS postmark date, or the date the payment is received by CBJ if there is no postmark
  • CBJ drop boxes at Superbear IGA, Foodland IGA, and City Hall next to the Heritage Way entrance – effective date is the date dropped off. Drop boxes are emptied every morning, payments are assumed to have been dropped off the prior day.
  • Customer-initiated bill payment through your banking institution – USPS postmark, or the date the payment is received by CBJ if there is no postmark.*

Pay by ACH/eCheck or credit card through the InvoiceCloud online payment portal at invoicecloud.com/cityandboroughofjuneauak. There is a convenience fee to use a credit card, but it’s free to pay with ACH/eCheck. Set up a recurring payment or schedule payment in advance so you don’t forget!

As of 2023, CBJ no longer offers a direct debit auto pay for property tax bills. Payments by ACH must be made through InvoiceCloud, initiated by the customer.

Postmarks

Taxpayers who send their payments by mail are cautioned that the USPS only postmarks certain mail depending on the type of postage used, and may not postmark mail on the same day deposited by a taxpayer. If a payment is received after the delinquent date with a late or missing postmark, the payment is considered late, and penalties will be added to your bill. Visit juneau.org/finance/understanding-postmarks for more information on what is and isn’t a postmark.

*CAUTION: Online bill payments made through banking institutions are typically sent by bulk mail using a permit imprint and do not include a postmark. These payments can take two weeks or more to reach our office and will be considered late if received after September 30th. Avoid the drama and pay through InvoiceCloud instead!

Payment from Escrow

If you have a mortgage on your home, it is likely that you pay into an escrow account and your mortgage company will pay your property tax bill on your behalf. If you recently paid off your mortgage, you may be responsible for making your property tax payment this year.

CBJ cannot tell you whether or not your mortgage company intends to make a payment on your property, and these payments are not typically received until the week leading up to the deadline. Please contact your lender if you have questions about an expected payment from escrow.

Property Owner’s Responsibility

All property owners are responsible for ensuring their payments are timely in accordance with the payment effective dates noted above. All property owners are responsible for determining the property tax liability for each of their parcels and identifying payments to their specific parcels. The property owner is liable for taxes, penalty, and interest on their property even if they do not receive their property tax bill.

If you sold or purchased a home within the current tax year, it is the buyer’s and seller’s mutual responsibility to determine the prorated property tax liability for each party; CBJ will not prorate the property tax bill for you.

Manufactured Homes

Manufactured or mobile homes are generally considered real property and subject to CBJ property tax. These homes are frequently purchased without traditional bank financing or the involvement of a title company, so there is no way for CBJ to learn of a sale. The owner is responsible for notifying the CBJ Assessor’s Office of any ownership change. Forms can be found online at juneau.org/finance/assessor-forms. If you have questions, please contact [email protected], or 907-586-5215 ext 4906.

If you recently purchased a manufactured home and learned after the fact that the previous owner has unpaid property taxes, please reach out to CBJ Collections at [email protected] or 907-586-5215 ext. 4908 for assistance. Please include your parcel number or physical property address in any communications so staff can quickly locate your account.

July 1st, 2024|
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