Property taxes hit the ballot again

Anchorage just put your property taxes back on the ballot.

The Assembly voted to move forward with a one time $11.8 million education levy that voters will decide on this April. If approved, the money would fund more than 80 teaching positions and aim to reduce class sizes across the Anchorage School District. This comes as ASD is staring down an $83 million budget shortfall.

For property owners, the cost works out to about $27 per $100,000 in assessed value. That means a $400,000 home would see roughly $108 added to the tax bill for the year. Renters feel this too, because higher taxes almost always flow through to monthly rent.

Supporters see it as a short term patch to keep classrooms staffed. Others are questioning whether a one time fix solves a long term funding problem. Either way, this one lands directly in wallets citywide.

This vote won’t be quiet.