Anchorage ordinance would make candidates disclose residency dates and tax exemptions

Assembly Member George Martinez of East Anchorage introduced an ordinance Tuesday that would require Anchorage candidates for mayor, Assembly and School Board to disclose when they moved into the home they use to qualify for office, and whether they claimed a residential property tax exemption there or at earlier addresses. The ordinance is set for a public hearing Nov. 4.

Candidates have at times listed one address on their declaration of candidacy while receiving a tax exemption at another, Martinez wrote in his memorandum. The memo does not name any. Under his proposal, that kind of mismatch would trigger a residency review by the municipal clerk, and the candidate would get a chance to reconcile the records.

The declaration would add the home's tax parcel number, the date residency began at each address the candidate relies on, and any exemption claimed during the required residency period. Candidates would also have to say whether a tax-exempt organization, such as a church or charity, owned the home. In that case the municipal assessor would check whether the candidate's use of the property fits the exemption.

A candidate who doesn't meet the residency requirement could be disqualified by the clerk. A disqualified candidate can request a hearing, which must be held within five days unless the candidate agrees to a later date. The aim, Martinez wrote, is consistent verification "without creating additional qualifications for office."

The residency rules themselves would not change. The city charter requires mayoral candidates to have lived in Anchorage for two years, Assembly candidates to have lived in their district for one year and School Board candidates to have lived in Anchorage for 30 days. Anyone can already challenge a candidate's eligibility by complaint to the clerk within 10 days after the filing deadline.