Juneau's budgeted Eaglecrest general-fund support rises to $1.68 million

Juneau's fiscal 2027 budget commits $1,681,900 in general-fund support to Eaglecrest Ski Area, nearly double the $930,000 budgeted a year earlier. The figure appears in the Eaglecrest Finance Committee packet for Wednesday's meeting.

Through Sept. 22, fiscal 2027 revenue reached $2,231,271. Expenses, including encumbrances, totaled $1,483,996, leaving a net of $747,275.

Fiscal 2026 revenue totaled $3 million, including the $930,000 subsidy, against a $3.79 million budget. That left a shortfall of $785,277. Expenses came in $968,603 under budget. Product sales since July 1 total $758,413, including $567,852 from 1,165 season passes.

Assembly Finance Committee materials said the $930,000 subsidy would force 56% staff cuts. They said $1.68 million was needed to avoid a negative fund balance. The committee deadlocked 4-4 in April on studying closure costs, leaving the request unresolved before it was budgeted.

Deputy Mayor Greg Smith said April 1 that "the cost of operating Eagle Crest are much higher than they were previously when we were giving them $900,000."

The committee meets again Oct. 28.