KCAW AI Disclosure
Did you use artificial intelligence (ex. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) to complete this questionnaire?
Candidate: No
Name: JJ Carlson
Age: 40
How many years have you lived in Sitka and Alaska?
24 years (18+6). Born and raised in Sitka. Left for school and career. Returned to live.
Occupation:
Nonprofit management
Describe your family:
Hardworking
Community involvement, past and present:
My recent community involvement ranges from volunteer roles in coaching, gardening, public health initiatives, public art, advocacy for neurodegenerative conditions, and community organizing. I’m a current member of the Sitka Community Health Council that acts as an advisory body to the SEARHC healthcare system.
Have you previously run for public office? When and what office?
Yes. 2023, Sitka Assembly Member
Previous government or other relevant experience:
Sitka Assembly Member
Why are you running for the an assembly seat this year?
There is work to be done. I still have goals and would like a 2nd term to achieve them. I would like to serve this community that has given me so much and ensure a happy and healthy Sitka for today, tomorrow, and 30 years from now.
What are your top priorities if elected?
Livable and affordable Sitka for my generation and generations to come.
Childcare Shortage
A recent report commissioned by the city shows Sitka’s childcare system has the capacity to serve only about half of the young children who need it. The assembly is considering a seasonal sales tax change to fund a $1 million-a-year plan to help address the childcare shortage. Do you agree with this approach? What further steps, if any, should the city take to address the crisis?
A seasonal sales tax is one of the few ideas the assembly is considering as a funding mechanism to support childcare in Sitka. The first assembly meeting in September is scheduled to include a discussion on the next steps for what municipally-supported childcare could be.
Budget:
How do you propose funding city government (including enterprise funds, electricity, water, etc.)?
Property and sales tax are the main mechanisms that fund our city government. Excise taxes could be utilized more. Property tax go to schools, and sales tax funds the rest of the general-purpose municipal responsibilities (streets, planning, fire, police, library, parks and rec, etc.). Utilities and specially services (electricity, water, wastewater, garbage, airport, harbors, etc.) pay for themselves through fees for the service. These are handled differently because they are not typically provided by the municipal government. All that background sets up the opinion that a solid one-year budget is the immediate result of a good 5 to 10+ year plan. The best thing we can do for prudent financial management is strong long-term planning and fiscal modeling.
Schools:
Do you support funding the Sitka School District to the maximum allowed by state law (a.k.a. the “cap”)? Why or why not?
Yes. Education is highly valued by Sitkans. Quality schools for their kids is one of few things a working family does not need to stress about in Sitka. The cost of living is burdensome for families here. Maintaining a high-preforming school system is imperative for retention of school-age families in Sitka.
Affordability:
Affording daily life in Sitka is difficult for many, between rising fuel and grocery costs and housing and childcare shortages. According to a 2024 report by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Southeast Alaska’s overall population is projected to drop by about 17% by 2050 — or roughly 12,000 people. That’s about the populations of Sitka and Wrangell combined. As an assembly member, how would you work to address affordability for Sitkans?
The CBS strategic plan lays out a quality and targeted approach to addressing affordability challenges for Sitkans identifying housing, utility costs, childcare, and food security as action items. The assembly annually reviews utilities costs and is actively working on housing and childcare. ADU code refinements will be voted on within the next few months, and a childcare solution is progressing in development. I will continue to address affordability for Sitkans with steady, collaborative, and creative problem-solving.
Tourism:
The commercial passenger vessel excise tax – also known as the CPV – is a “head tax” collected by the state and distributed to port cities. The funds are highly restricted, and can only go toward harbor or other infrastructure related to services or facilities used by cruise ships and their passengers. As an assembly member, how would you prioritize spending CPV money, considering the restrictions?
Utilizing interest on the CPV special revenue fund is a viable avenue of exploration. After annual CBS operational expenses are covered (per the existing formula), capital project prioritization happens annually as part of the capital improvement program. I currently, and will continue to, prioritize spending CPV money on projects that meet the stipulated needs of visitors while addressing quality of life concerns for locals.
The city has expanded its tourism management in recent years, adding a tourism commission and hiring on a new tourism director in response to growth in the sector. From your perspective, what should be the city’s role in tourism moving forward?
CBS has taken great steps so far in managing cruise tourism. Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding as we grew in knowledge and capacity to meet the current levels. As an assembly sponsor of many of the recent tourism management initiatives, your feedback and participation was invaluable in crafting our current response to the increase of cruise visitation. Going forward, the city must consistently reiterate to the cruise lines – and actively review for right-sizing – Sitka’s preferences of a 7,000 daily passenger limit, designated quiet days, and a shorter season. Sitka has long been a desirable destination by the independent traveler. Moving forward, we need to re-focus on increasing independent travel to Sitka in the shoulder season.
Artificial Intelligence:
The use of artificial intelligence has proliferated over the past several years. It’s reshaping how people work, learn, and participate in daily life. What are your thoughts on using AI in your role as an assembly member or to write legislation?
AI is a potential tool, but writing an ordinance is not where the bulk of the work is. Coordination, communication, and community feedback is the work of the assembly member and AI is not directly applicable.
Municipal Administrator:
The city has been looking for a new municipal administrator for about a year now. You would likely be part of that hiring decision. What qualities would you look for in a leader?
Leadership and management are different still sets; the CBS municipal administrator needs both to be successful. Prioritization and time management are key for effective and efficient workflows, while at the same time, an approachable demeanor and receptive listening are also a necessity. There are many of these seemingly opposite qualities that make for a strong leader. It provides balance and demonstrates a holistic approach that is often a product of experience and is transferable between subject matters.
