Chris Birch - South Anchorage

Name: Chris Birch

Occupation: Engineer

Website: www.chrisbirch.com

Registered Political Party: Republican

Last book you read: "Socialnomics" by Erik Qualman - A quick read that describes how social media can change the way we think and do business.

Favorite movie: "What About Bob?"  A 1991 comedy with Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss.

Why are you running for the Anchorage Assembly?: I am an optimist and know the city can do a better job managing nearly $2 billion in combined annual operating budgets for the city, school district and utilities (ML&P, AWWU, Merrill Field, Solid Waste Services and Port). We have thousands of well qualified and capable city employees however as a community experiencing some of the highest property taxes in the country (Forbes.com Jan/2010) we need to constrain costs, open bidding for construction projects and limit tax growth.

What one sentence best describes your philosophy of how city government should be run?: City government should run efficiently, quietly and effectively in the background with minimal concern/impact on our residents.

What letter grade would you give the current assembly, and why?: C. I was disappointed that the assembly did not permit the voters an opportunity to consider the Taxpayer Protection Act charter amendment to stabilize our property taxes - I was encouraged that several on the assembly who opposed the charter provision did agree to co-sponsor the same provision in city ordinance - to be considered at the April 29th assembly meeting. If adopted this ordinance could be reversed by a simple majority of the assembly rather than the voting public as would be required by a charter amendment.

What letter grade would you give Mayor Sullivan’s administration, and why?: A-. I am generally pleased with the increased efficiencies in city operations and focus on limiting the growth in city government and property taxes. The mayor has enlisted a highly qualified team of professionals to direct the course of our community.

What are your thoughts on the 2008 union contracts approved by the Assembly? Is there a link to those contracts and the city’s current fiscal situation?: Bad and Yes. These agreements were rushed through the assembly review and hearing process (some contracts still in DRAFT form when voted on) by our former mayor without consideration of the taxpayer. Newly incorporated contract provisions extended beyond city employees to require even non-union contractors to join a city union to construct work bid to the the city. This costs the city dearly in reduced competition and increased construction costs. The electrical contractor for the Dena'ina Center returned his project completion trophy when he realized that shortly after being thanked for his work (and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cost savings) he was no longer qualified to do city work due to the new contracts. The police and fire chief have further limitations on their ability to assign overtime and in the case of the Fire Department the union contract prescribes the number of firemen assigned to specific equipment - not the chief - limiting the ability to assign the workforce in the best manner to meet city requirements.

People should also know that these contracts are for an unprecedented five years, which means that even if the city begins to catch up in revenues, the wage increases kick in again the next year and we return to a deficit mode. This is a terrible way to handle employee compensation and benefits. Unfortunately, the city is obligated to deal with these agreements even though these contracts were passed in 2008. 

The link between the contracts and the city fiscal situation is best understood when it is understood that the YES votes for the 2008 contract received over $100,000 in city employee union contributions in the 2008-2011 period while the NO votes received less than $8,000. I personally view this as a conflict of interest and will not accept financial support from city employee unions where the assembly is required by city law to review, accept and ratify their labor agreements.

What are your thoughts on the budget reductions proposed by Mayor Sullivan over the past two years? Are they too much? Not deep enough? A right amount?:  The right amount given the challenges we will be facing with our contractually approved increases in labor costs.

What city services would you like to see reinstated, and how would you suggest they are paid for?: I would like to find a solution for operating an Express Library in South Anchorage as initially proposed by the mayor to be paid for by increased efficiencies to be gained with city operations and consolidation.

Are property taxes too high? What consideration should be given to alternative taxes like the tobacco tax, or a sales tax?: Yes - property taxes are too high. I reluctantly supported a tobacco tax that was used in part to offset property taxes and to reinstate funding necessary to support nine positions for Engine 10 on the Upper Hillside (an amendment to the 2011 Operating Budget co-sponsored by Assembly member Jennifer Johnston and me). The assembly is considering a public vote on sales tax as a direct offset to property taxes. The public will not support a sales tax until they are confident that the taxes will not simply be additive to the city budget. State revenue sharing for unfunded mandates and increased user fees as identified at last years Community Dialogue's are other revenue options.

What is the most important issue affecting the city as a whole?: Anchorage is Alaska's largest oil, gas and financial center. The economic vitality of our oil, gas and mining resource industry is critical to the sustained growth and potential of our city and our state. Without a vibrant and healthy resource development economy Alaska will lag - key to this is the need to firm up our immediate energy requirements in the rail belt - where the most appealing option is increasingly looking to be imported LNG.

What is the most important issue facing your district more than other districts?: South Anchorage is home to most of the cities developable land - both city owned land and privately held land. We have funded and completed the Hillside District Plan and the largest component of our future needs/challenges relate to transportation related needs. Safety improvements on the Seward Highway, maintenance upgrades and enhancements on city and state roads in the district and securing legislative support for critical community road projects.

Incumbents -- What three pieces of legislation you authored during your current assembly term are you are most proud of? Why?: The Taxpayer Protection Act which is intended to limit the growth in property taxes; removal of the I/M program and the reversal of the service fee for those who would appeal their property taxes to the Board of Equalization and actually show up for the appeal hearing.

Should the municipality require mandatory photo identification for all customers purchasing alcohol at package liquor stores? Why or why not?: No. This is a state enforcement issue and an individual businesses responsibility to assure that their patrons are of age and sober.

Should an agency other than the Anchorage Police Department be allowed to issue parking tickets to vehicles parked downtown? Why or why not?: Yes. Parking tickets should not be issued by high value, trained and equipped police officers whose services may be better utilized in high crime or dangerous traffic areas. The ballot measure proposed applies to a limited downtown area with appropriate checks and balances.

Should the city extend the disabled veteran property tax exemption to widows and widowers? Why or why not?: No. Unless this is a fully funded mandate by the State of Alaska the benefit should follow the disabled veteran only.

The last municipal election had the lowest voter turnout in at least 20 years.  Why should people head to the polls and vote on April 5?: Those who vote in this election have an opportunity to elect assembly and school board members who will have a direct impact on their property taxes and the willingness to pursue more cost effective means for providing basic government services.