This is the season of wish lists and holiday dreams, as we eagerly anticipate what Santa — or Amazon — might bring. But soon enough, reality sets in, with Scrooge in the form of credit card bills and bank statements snapping us back to Earth.
Unfortunately, for Juneau residents, Scrooge may be arriving sooner than expected. Two significant events this past Monday, Dec. 3, should prompt all of us to sit up and take notice.
The first event was the release of the December “Economic Trends” report from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The report projects that Southeast Alaska’s population, including Juneau’s, is expected to decline by more than 8% by 2050. That might not sound alarming at first, but the underlying data tells a more troubling story.
Our community is aging rapidly. Birth rates are at historic lows, far below what’s needed to sustain the population. Meanwhile, we lack the migration needed to fill the gaps left by retirees. These demographic shifts are already hitting us hard: job vacancies remain unfilled, wait times for services are longer, and businesses struggle to find workers.
This shrinking workforce is more than an economic issue — it’s a community crisis. Our wage earners support local schools, shop at our stores, dine at our restaurants and fund the arts. As their numbers dwindle the burden on those who remain grows heavier. We’ve all felt this through rising property taxes, an increasing cost of living and mounting pressure on city services.
The second event was Monday evening’s Assembly Committee of the Whole meeting, which covered two key topics: a proposed tidelands lease for Huna Totem’s Aak’w Landing development and an update on the city’s financial situation.
During the discussion of the Aak’w Landing project, important questions about traffic, congestion and public space were raised. However, I was struck by what wasn’t asked. How many jobs will this project create — both during construction and for long-term operations? What kind of tax revenue will it generate for Juneau?
Aak’w Landing is a for-profit development that will contribute to our tax base and provide diversified employment opportunities. These benefits are crucial for our community’s long-term stability, yet they didn’t seem to get the attention they deserved.
The financial update was even more sobering. Since the fiscal year began on July 1, the city has approved over $6.5 million in unbudgeted, one-time expenditures. Future requests could exceed $30 million. Meanwhile, both sales and property tax revenues are falling short of projections, creating a significant budget gap.
To maintain current services, the city is considering increasing the mill rate, which would further raise property taxes. Assembly members were tasked with answering four key questions:
1. How comfortable are they with revenue and expense assumptions?
2. Should revenue changes be explored?
3. Should service levels be adjusted?
4. Should they seek voter approval for bonds in October 2025?
But here’s what they should also be asking:
• What are our real spending priorities?
• Which programs or projects can be trimmed to keep Juneau affordable?
Now is the time for us, the residents of Juneau, to make our voices heard. Can we afford yet another property tax increase? What services or projects matter most to us? Without our input, the Assembly will act on our behalf — whether we agree or not.
Let them know what you think by emailing them at boroughassembly@juneau.gov. Our city’s future depends on your voice.
• Angela Rodell is a legislative staff member and former CEO of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. who ran for mayor in Juneau’s 2024 municipal election.
