Anchorage planning commission backs 2027 capital budget with $88 million bond request

The Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission voted Monday to recommend that the Assembly approve the city's 2027 capital improvement budget and its six-year capital improvement program.

The 2027 budget totals about $136 million. That includes an $87.95 million bond request. It would pay for road maintenance and drainage, traffic calming, fire and police equipment and park improvements.

Traditional bond packages run $40 million to $55 million, said Office of Management and Budget Director Ona Brause. She said deferred maintenance drives this year's larger request.

Brause said the city closed a $15 million gap this year with one-time money. "We project the potential deficit for 2028 to be between $15 and $30 million," she said.

Daniel McKenna-Foster of Long Range Planning said some projects stay on the list for years without a clear present need. A planning memo found only 1% of Anchorage Bowl development since 2017 happened in areas planned for significant growth.

Community and Economic Development Director Robert Doehl said the memo was prepared without coordination and "should be disregarded." Chair Andres Spinelli said the memo is the reason this review was given to the commission.

Commissioner Jeff Raun asked staff to send six of the memo's recommendations to the Assembly, which is scheduled to vote Nov. 17. Approved bond projects would go before voters in April 2027.