Juneau finance chair opposes the $300,000 line in an ordinance projected to raise $3.3 million

Juneau nonprofits earning under $300,000 a year in sales could apply to keep their sales tax exemption under an amendment before the Assembly Finance Committee.

"I don't really understand why I would not pay sales tax if I went to one nonprofit and bought something and they made less than $300,000 in sales versus one that made over," Assembly Member Christine Woll said Sept. 2, arguing nonprofits should be treated like small businesses, which get no such exemption. "I know this will be a burden on our nonprofits, but that's not a good reason to enact a policy," she said.

The Assembly sent the ordinance back to the Finance Committee for further review. Supporters say taxing nonprofit sales, with exceptions for government and social service organizations, would broaden the tax base as the city faces a projected $687,000 fund-balance deficit for fiscal year 2027, despite $736,000 already cut from the operating budget. Finance Director Angie Flick estimates $3.3 million a year.

Juneau Symphony's Charlotte Truitt testified the change would cost her organization about $2,000 upfront and $500 monthly. No vote was taken on Ordinance 2026-32.