Assembly Budget and Finance Committee of the Whole Meeting - September 18, 2025

The Assembly Budget and Finance Committee of the Whole met on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:05 a.m. The committee received updates from the Budget Advisory Commission, the MOA Trust Fund, and administration on revenue and budget to actuals, discussed fund balance implications of the 2023 ACFR, and heard a presentation on a proposed short-term rental tax. No formal votes were taken.

Budget Advisory Commission Update

• Chair Mills reported the commission is drafting a resolution on the budget, aiming to finalize it at a special meeting for timely submission. They are short on members and encouraged applications.

MOA Trust Fund Update

• Mr. Slifka reported the fund achieved a 9.4% trailing three-year return through June 2025, exceeding the inflation+4% target by over 200 basis points. Fund value at end of August was $467 million. The expected payout to MOA next year may increase by $400,000 to $16.9 million (from $16.5 million).
• The board is hiring a director of investment operations (applications due September 19). An RFP for a consultant selected Callan; the contract (item 11B on the September 23 agenda) requires assembly approval.
• Discussion: Member Constant noted Callan’s bid was roughly double the lowest bidder and requested a memorandum explaining the value differential and minority opinion before the vote. The board agreed to provide that by Tuesday, September 23, or Constant would move to postpone.
• Ms. Baldwin Day asked about applicant numbers for the director position; the hiring process is ongoing and not yet public.

OMB Director Revenue and Budget-to-Actuals Update

• The budget-to-actuals report was delayed due to technical issues. Through 66% of the fiscal year, the municipality spent 58% of the budget; some debt service entries will bring that closer to 66%.
• FEMA and ARPA closeout is progressing; ARPA projects expected to finish by year-end. The ML&P closeout communication regarding the Golden Lion requirement is expected in October.
• Revenue Report (presented by Mr. Cipriano):
  • Property tax collected at 99.7% of the $351 million budget ($349.9 million collected). The 0.3% shortfall ($1.06 million) requires further detail.
  • Route tax down ~17% from 2024 record of $45.7 million; third quarter expected to be largest but slightly down.
  • Motor fuel excise tax rate is 11.5 cents per gallon. At member Constant’s request, staff will provide a projection of revenue from an increase matching the Mat-Su Borough’s 10-cent increase.
  • Building safety at 102.6% of projection partly due to a prior mill rate increase in the building safety service area.
  • Cash pool earnings negative $1.4 million due to market valuation; a recent Fed rate cut may improve returns.
  • APD counterfines lagging but considered de minimis; PFD garnishments are collected through court referrals.
  • Municipal assistance from the state (historically up to $4 million) depends on annual legislative appropriation and submission of the ACFR.

Fund Balance Presentation

• Mr. Falsey explained the “10 and 2” fund balance policy: 10% of current year expenditures for major funds plus 2% working capital reserve. The 2023 ACFR shows unassigned fund balance of negative $51 million, meaning no spendable fund balance and non-compliance with the policy.
• Historical context: the 2019 earthquake and COVID drew down reserves deeply; by 2023 the balance recovered to the working capital level (2%) but still shows a deficit. FEMA reimbursements received after the ACFR close were not fully transferred; if corrected, 2023 would have been close to compliant.
• Deficits in the Building Safety Service Area and IT fund affect the roll-up. The administration is analyzing how these should be represented.
• The 2024 closeout (expected March 2026) may show a surplus due to vacancy savings and FEMA receipts, potentially creating a positive spendable fund balance.

Short-Term Rental Tax Proposal

• Mr. Volan and Mr. Constant presented a proposed charter amendment (AO 2025-?) to impose an additional 5% tax on short-term rentals (STRs) on top of the existing 12% room tax, with revenues dedicated to housing and associated infrastructure. Exemptions for owner-occupied properties are under consideration.
• A complementary registration project (requiring STRs to register and provide unit-specific data) is being developed to address compliance gaps – third-party booking platforms have not provided per-property tax data as required by existing code.
• Discussion: Sponsors stated the tax is intended to generate resources to offset neighborhood impacts, not to punish STRs. Member Silvers asked about evidence of STR-to-long-term rental conversion in other jurisdictions; data was not available. Ms. Baldwin Day requested revenue estimates (requested just before adjournment) and clarified where the housing fund would be established – it does not currently exist and would require a follow-up ordinance if the charter amendment passes.
• No vote taken. A public hearing is scheduled for the September 23, 2025 assembly meeting. Sponsors may introduce an amended version before then.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were held.
• The MOA Trust Fund board will provide a written cost-differential memo regarding the Callan contract by September 23, or the item will be postponed.
• The administration will provide a revenue estimate for a motor fuel excise tax increase.
• Detailed budget-to-actual review deferred to a future meeting due to document distribution timing.
• The committee acknowledged that no spendable fund balance is available from the 2023 ACFR; the 2024 ACFR is expected to inform future budget decisions.
• The short-term rental tax proposal will proceed to public hearing on September 23, with potential amendments.