Juneau Voters Have the Power to Upgrade Public Health and Safety with $23 Million in Funding

Nearly $23 million in funding for public health and safety improvements could be added to Juneau’s debt if voters approve two ballot measures on Monday. The Juneau Police Department’s radio infrastructure is in dire need of an upgrade, as approved by the city assembly.

The first ballot measure seeks $12.7 million to replace the outdated radio system used by the Juneau Police Department and Capital City Fire/Rescue. The current system, which has been in use for a decade, has reliability issues and dead zones. The total project cost is estimated at around $25 million.

The second ballot measure requests $10 million to replace the wastewater clarifier building at the Juneau Douglas Wastewater Treatment Plant, which serves Thane, Downtown, and Douglas. City officials cite decades of erosion as the reason for the replacement, highlighting the necessity of this infrastructure improvement.

Both ballot measures will be put to voters on the Oct. 1 municipal election ballot, with the hope of securing funding for essential public health and safety upgrades in Juneau.