Anchorage audit could not confirm pre-approval on 14 of 15 Assembly trips

Auditors could not confirm that 14 of 15 Anchorage Assembly trips subject to a 60-day pre-approval rule actually met it, according to an internal review released with a letter from Assembly Chair Anna Brawley. The finding is driving a wider inquiry: on Tuesday, Sept. 1, the Assembly voted 9-2 to direct the municipal internal auditor to examine the Individual Spending Accounts, each member's annual allowance, of 15 current and recent members going back to Jan. 1, 2023.

The original review covered January 2025 through April 2026. Eight members took 38 trips costing $93,232.22 total. All 38 had travel authorization forms approved by the Chair or Vice Chair before departure and complete supporting documentation, and no member exceeded the $24,000 annual allotment.

The unverified approvals trace to a policy former Chair Christopher Constant established in July 2025, requiring Chair approval before a travel request is filed and submission to the Clerk's Office at least 60 days before departure. Fifteen trips fell under the rule, but the Clerk's Office produced only one document. "We know recovering emails from former Chair Constant may be challenging, but we could not verify the other 14 travel requests met this requirement," Internal Audit wrote.

Auditors also flagged $96 in per diem, a daily allowance, paid to Assembly member George Martinez, who stayed two extra days after the SOMOS Inc Puerto Rico Conference ended Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. Asked whether those days were personal, Martinez said "the extra day is for post-conference-related meetings," but provided no names or agenda. The Clerk's Office paid $48 per day for both as business travel. Separately, all 36 trips booked by Clerk's Office staff used Alaska Airlines, which municipal procedure prioritizes only when it offers the lowest fare; auditors could not verify that because no comparison documentation existed.

Brawley brought the findings to the Rules Committee on Aug. 13, writing she did "not anticipate we will come to final conclusions and specific policy changes" at that meeting. Assembly Members Silvers, Baldwin Day and Goecker sponsored the resolution adopted Sept. 1. A substitute on the agenda would have narrowed the test to "substantial misuse of funds" and given the auditor 90 days. Minutes are not yet published. A report is due about Nov. 30.