Childcare funding is on the docket when the Sitka Assembly meets tonight (9-8-26).
Sitka is experiencing an ongoing childcare shortage that local advocates call a crisis. Earlier this year, a city-funded study conducted by a regional childcare nonprofit found that the local system can serve about half of the young children who need it. In July, the assembly landed on a $1 million plan that would combine workforce incentives, operating grants, and a family scholarship fund to support childcare in the community.
Tonight, the assembly will discuss how to structure and fund the proposed programs. Discussion sponsors Katie Riley, Kevin Mosher and Thor Christianson are asking the assembly to consider funding the plan through a “public-private partnership” model, which would combine funding from a dedicated city sales tax with contributions from local businesses.
The funding scenario the assembly agrees to would come back to the table as an ordinance at a future meeting, and would ultimately require the approval of Sitka voters.
In other business, the assembly will consider setting sales tax free days following the Thanksgiving holiday, several end-of-year budget adjustments for last fiscal year, and will consider updating the city’s solid waste program to allow for a neighborhood cost-share option.
The Sitka Assembly meets at 6 p.m. tonight at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Raven News will broadcast the meeting live, following Alaska News Nightly.
