$23M public health and safety improvement bonds to be featured on Juneau’s October ballot

The Juneau Assembly recently approved two ballot measures seeking additional funding for public health and safety improvements in the city. If passed by voters in the upcoming fall election, the bonds would provide nearly $23 million for upgrades to the public safety communication system and the Juneau Douglas Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The public safety bond is requesting $12.7 million, while the wastewater bond is asking for $10 million. Both measures will be included on the Oct. 1 municipal election ballot following the Assembly’s unanimous approval.

The $12.7 million bond measure aims to replace the outdated radio system used by the Juneau Police Department and Capital City Fire/Rescue. According to police officials, the current system is past its expected lifespan and is causing issues such as dead zones and unreliability. The total cost of the project is estimated to be around $25 million.

The other $10 million bond measure is intended to cover the costs of replacing the wastewater clarifier building at the Juneau Douglas Wastewater Treatment Plant. This plant services Thane, Downtown, and Douglas, and city officials cite decades of erosion as the reason for the replacement.

Overall, the approved ballot measures reflect the city’s commitment to improving public safety infrastructure and ensuring the efficient operation of essential facilities in Juneau.