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Anchorage Municipality – Government Finance

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Government finances play a pivotal role in shaping the local economy, influencing economic growth, stability, and the overall well-being of communities. The impact of government finances on the local economy can be analyzed through several key mechanisms, including public spending, taxation, debt management, and fiscal policies. These elements collectively determine the flow of resources, the level of economic activity, and the quality of life for residents.

  1. Public Spending and Investment One of the most direct ways government finances affect the local economy is through public spending. Governments allocate funds to infrastructure projects, education, healthcare, public safety, and social services. These investments create jobs, stimulate demand for goods and services, and enhance the productivity of the local workforce. For instance, building roads, bridges, and public transportation systems not only provides immediate employment opportunities but also improves connectivity, reducing transportation costs for businesses and facilitating trade. Similarly, investments in education and healthcare contribute to a skilled and healthy workforce, which is essential for long-term economic growth.

  2. Taxation Policies Taxation is another critical component of government finances that impacts the local economy. Taxes fund public services and infrastructure, but they also influence the behavior of individuals and businesses. High tax rates can discourage investment and consumption, potentially stifling economic growth. Conversely, low tax rates may attract businesses and stimulate spending but can lead to budget deficits if not managed properly. Progressive taxation, where higher-income individuals pay a larger share, can reduce income inequality and increase disposable income for lower-income households, boosting local demand for goods and services.

  3. Debt Management Government borrowing and debt management also have significant implications for the local economy. When governments borrow to finance deficits or invest in long-term projects, they can stimulate economic activity in the short term. However, excessive debt can lead to higher interest rates, crowding out private investment, and increasing the risk of financial instability. Effective debt management ensures that borrowing is sustainable and that funds are used efficiently to generate economic returns.

  4. Fiscal Policies Fiscal policies, including government spending and taxation, are tools used to manage economic cycles. During economic downturns, expansionary fiscal policies, such as increased spending and tax cuts, can stimulate demand and help the economy recover. Conversely, during periods of high inflation, contractionary fiscal policies, such as reduced spending and higher taxes, can help cool down the economy. The timing and effectiveness of these policies are crucial in stabilizing the local economy and maintaining public confidence.

  5. Social and Economic Equity Government finances also play a role in promoting social and economic equity. Redistributive policies, such as social welfare programs and subsidies, can reduce poverty and inequality, leading to a more inclusive economy. By providing a safety net for vulnerable populations, governments can ensure that all residents have access to basic needs, which in turn supports overall economic stability and growth.

  6. Conclusion In summary, government finances have a profound impact on the local economy through public spending, taxation, debt management, and fiscal policies. Effective management of these financial tools can stimulate economic growth, reduce inequality, and enhance the quality of life for residents. Conversely, poor financial management can lead to economic instability, reduced investment, and social unrest. Therefore, it is essential for governments to adopt prudent fiscal policies and ensure that financial resources are allocated efficiently and equitably to support sustainable economic development.

A key indicator for comparison is how much government collects, spends and and establishes debt for each resident under its perview.

The revenue per resident at the local level is:

6,061.14

The expenses per resident at the local level is:

6,964.57

The outstanding debt per resident at the local level is:

4,662.53

 
AnchorageAlaskaNational



LocalLocalLocalLocalStateState
PerContri-PerContri-PerContri-
LocalPer CentStatePer CentCapitabutionNationalPer CentCapitabutionCapitabution
Description(,000's)Per Capitato Total(,000's)Per Capitato TotalIndexIndex(,000's)Per Capitato TotalIndexIndexIndexIndex

Revenue1,756,5426,061.14100.005,845,9397,988.92100.000.761.002,344,548,4806,947.35100.000.871.001.151.00

  General revenue1,685,7035,816.7095.975,559,3397,597.2695.100.771.012,168,968,4006,427.0792.510.911.041.181.03

    Intergovernmental revenue675,7812,331.8638.472,029,9792,774.1234.720.841.11808,559,1482,395.9234.490.971.121.161.01
      From Federal government177,113611.1510.08436,541596.577.471.021.35146,274,793433.446.241.411.621.381.20
      From State government498,6681,720.7128.391,593,4382,177.5527.260.791.04662,284,3551,962.4828.250.881.011.110.96
      From local government00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

    General revenue from own sources1,009,9223,484.8457.493,529,3604,823.1460.370.720.951,360,409,2524,031.1558.020.860.991.201.04
      Taxes728,7442,514.6141.492,137,5342,921.1036.560.861.13894,124,7052,649.4638.140.951.091.100.96
        Property612,8582,114.7334.891,626,8972,223.2827.830.951.25627,434,2421,859.2126.761.141.301.201.04
        Sales & gross receipts88,880306.695.06471,734644.668.070.480.63165,801,503491.307.070.620.721.311.14
          General sales00.000.00287,343392.684.920.000.00125,994,306373.355.370.000.001.050.91
          Selective sales88,880306.695.06184,391251.983.151.221.6039,807,197117.961.702.602.982.141.86
            Motor fuel sales12,24942.270.7012,25016.740.212.523.331,892,6875.610.087.548.642.982.60
            Alcoholic beverage sales13,97948.240.8020,43527.930.351.732.28845,0352.500.0419.2622.0811.159.70
            Tobacco product sales20,26669.931.1542,81558.510.731.201.58318,8170.940.0174.0284.8561.9353.86
            Public utilities7,52225.960.4316,82022.990.291.131.4915,744,64746.650.670.560.640.490.43
            Other selective sales34,864120.301.9892,071125.821.570.961.2621,006,01162.240.901.932.222.021.76
        Individual income tax00.000.0000.000.000.000.0044,730,192132.541.910.000.000.000.00
        Corporate income tax00.000.0000.000.000.000.0011,009,92732.620.470.000.000.000.00
        Motor vehicle license17,73761.201.0121,07828.800.362.122.802,263,6136.710.109.1210.464.293.73
        Other taxes9,26931.980.5317,82524.360.301.311.7342,885,228127.081.830.250.290.190.17

      Charges & misc general revenue281,178970.2416.011,391,8261,902.0423.810.510.67466,284,5471,381.6919.890.700.801.381.20
        Current charges169,254584.039.641,040,8931,422.4617.810.410.54365,048,3361,081.7115.570.540.621.321.14
          Education4,43515.300.2524,73633.800.420.450.6019,143,89456.730.820.270.310.600.52
            Institution of higher education00.000.001,3601.860.020.000.007,681,25722.760.330.000.000.080.07
            School lunch sales (gross)1910.660.011,2021.640.020.400.531,566,4414.640.070.140.160.350.31
          Hospitals00.000.00534,730730.759.150.000.00124,953,811370.265.330.000.001.971.72
          Highways00.000.004,0365.520.070.000.0010,287,28930.480.440.000.000.180.16
          Air transportation (airports)2,0737.150.1217,02223.260.290.310.4122,414,40266.420.960.110.120.350.30
          Parking facilities6,52822.530.377,71110.540.132.142.822,924,3498.670.122.602.981.221.06
          Sea and inland port facilities14,72750.820.8470,74896.681.210.530.694,760,82614.110.203.604.136.855.96
          Natural resources00.000.007591.040.010.000.002,531,1967.500.110.000.000.140.12
          Parks and recreation3,57712.340.2014,45619.760.250.620.829,708,20828.770.410.430.490.690.60
          Housing and comm development20,35770.241.1641,56556.800.711.241.637,308,73521.660.313.243.722.622.28
          Sewerage62,879216.973.58124,411170.022.131.281.6868,695,647203.562.931.071.220.840.73
          Solid waste management38,836134.012.2195,030129.871.631.031.3621,694,93864.290.932.082.392.021.76
          Other charges15,84254.660.90105,689144.431.810.380.5070,625,041209.283.010.260.300.690.60

        Miscellaneous general revenue111,924386.216.37350,933479.586.000.811.06101,236,211299.984.321.291.481.601.39
          Interest earnings56,993196.663.24118,227161.572.021.221.6010,227,01630.300.446.497.445.334.64
          Special assessments2,5188.690.145,9398.120.101.071.4115,026,42544.530.640.200.220.180.16
          Sale of property3,73412.880.2123,55332.190.400.400.533,784,73711.210.161.151.322.872.50
          Other general revenue48,679167.972.77203,214277.713.480.600.8072,198,033213.943.080.790.901.301.13

  Utility revenue70,839244.444.03275,066375.904.710.650.86173,592,043514.397.400.480.540.730.64
    Water supply65,946227.553.75122,908167.962.101.351.7980,167,107237.553.420.961.100.710.61
    Electric power2,1777.510.12126,928173.462.170.040.0678,135,733231.533.330.030.040.750.65
    Gas supply00.000.0020,94628.620.360.000.007,630,12322.610.330.000.001.271.10
    Transit2,7169.370.154,2845.850.071.602.117,659,08022.700.330.410.470.260.22

  Liquor store revenue00.000.0011,53415.760.200.000.001,988,0375.890.080.000.002.682.33

  Insurance trust revenue00.000.0000.000.000.000.00162,8580.480.010.000.000.000.00
    Unemployment compensation00.000.0000.000.000.000.00162,8580.480.010.000.000.000.00
    Employee retirement00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
    Workers' compensation00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
    Other insurance trust revenue00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Expenditure2,018,3596,964.57100.006,034,7778,246.98100.000.841.002,254,418,5176,680.28100.001.041.001.231.00

  Intergovernmental expenditure00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
  Direct expenditure2,018,3596,964.57100.006,034,7778,246.98100.000.841.002,254,418,5176,680.28100.001.041.001.231.00
    Current operation1,644,7725,675.4681.495,093,2796,960.3584.400.820.971,887,390,8875,592.7083.721.010.971.241.01
    Capital outlay330,4271,140.1716.37835,8951,142.3113.851.001.18284,581,195843.2712.621.351.301.351.10
      Construction330,4271,140.1716.37835,8951,142.3113.851.001.18284,581,195843.2712.621.351.301.351.10
    Assistance and subsidies00.000.00-121-0.17-0.00-0.00-0.002,376,9447.040.110.000.00-0.02-0.02
    Interest on debt43,160148.932.14105,724144.481.751.031.2280,069,491237.263.550.630.600.610.49
    Insurance benefits and repayments00.000.0000.000.000.000.0039,9940.120.000.000.000.000.00
    Exhibit: salaries & wages417,0411,439.0520.661,210,2621,653.9120.050.871.03525,546,0041,557.2923.310.920.891.060.86

  Direct expenditure by function2,018,3596,964.57100.006,034,7778,246.98100.000.841.002,254,418,5176,680.28100.001.041.001.231.00
    Direct general expenditure1,935,6386,679.1395.905,610,3477,666.9692.970.871.032,024,660,7925,999.4689.811.111.071.281.04
      Capital outlay314,5361,085.3415.58736,9031,007.0312.211.081.28233,677,777692.4310.371.571.501.451.18


Education services:
      Other direct general expenditure1,621,1025,593.7980.324,873,4446,659.9380.760.840.991,790,983,0155,307.0379.441.051.011.251.02
      Education742,9092,563.4936.812,120,6962,898.0935.140.881.05862,837,2522,556.7538.271.000.961.130.92
          Capital outlay55,986193.192.77147,205201.172.440.961.1489,314,081264.653.960.730.700.760.62
        Higher education00.000.0018,89725.820.310.000.0046,067,730136.512.040.000.000.190.15
          Capital outlay00.000.009601.310.020.000.005,394,84215.990.240.000.000.080.07
        Elementary & Secondary education742,9092,563.4936.812,101,9202,872.4334.830.891.06814,392,5782,413.2036.121.061.021.190.96
          Capital outlay55,986193.192.77146,245199.852.420.971.1483,919,239248.673.720.780.750.800.65
        Other education00.000.00-121-0.17-0.00-0.00-0.002,376,9447.040.110.000.00-0.02-0.02
      Libraries8,73830.150.4335,72348.820.590.620.7313,625,82240.380.600.750.721.210.98


Social services and income maintenance:
      Public welfare2,8639.880.1410,56414.440.180.680.8167,699,317200.613.000.050.050.070.06
        Other public welfare2,8639.880.1410,56414.440.180.680.8167,699,317200.613.000.050.050.070.06
      Hospitals00.000.00519,306709.678.610.000.00141,312,054418.736.270.000.001.691.37
        Capital outlay00.000.0025,12734.340.420.000.006,546,84619.400.290.000.001.771.43
      Health122,777423.666.08208,266284.613.451.491.7677,108,561228.493.421.851.781.251.01
      Social insurance administration00.000.0000.000.000.000.0035,9470.110.000.000.000.000.00
      Veterans' services00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Transportaion:
      Highways92,580319.464.59254,470347.754.220.921.0982,616,882244.813.661.301.251.421.15
        Capital outlay45,392156.632.25101,131138.201.681.131.3430,060,50189.081.331.761.691.551.26
      Air transportation (airports)8,71530.070.4340,01854.690.660.550.6528,556,24984.621.270.360.340.650.52
      Parking facilities4,93917.040.245,7527.860.102.172.572,108,1706.250.092.732.621.261.02
      Sea and inland port facilities87,044300.354.31145,761199.192.421.511.794,034,90811.960.1825.1224.1016.6613.50

Public safety:
      Police protection147,981510.627.33257,470351.854.271.451.72119,298,947353.515.291.441.391.000.81
      Fire protection124,501429.606.17269,830368.744.471.171.3864,033,823189.742.842.262.171.941.57
      Correction00.000.008,49711.610.140.000.0032,595,24396.591.450.000.000.120.10
        Capital outlay00.000.00930.130.000.000.00915,2972.710.040.000.000.050.04
      Protective inspection & regulation13,53646.710.6716,68022.790.282.052.437,062,87020.930.312.232.141.090.88

Environment and housing:
      Natural resources00.000.009,24612.640.150.000.0013,342,66139.540.590.000.000.320.26
        Capital outlay00.000.001,6822.300.030.000.004,485,96313.290.200.000.000.170.14
      Parks and recreation46,092159.052.28124,401170.002.060.941.1143,717,263129.541.941.231.181.311.06
        Capital outlay5,25918.150.2617,23923.560.290.770.9110,096,60129.920.450.610.580.790.64
      Housing and comm development156,938541.537.78284,337388.574.711.391.6558,336,344172.862.593.133.002.251.82
      Sewerage40,771140.682.02130,033177.702.150.790.9468,504,527202.993.040.690.660.880.71
        Capital outlay12,69943.820.6345,99662.860.760.700.8323,319,98269.101.030.630.610.910.74
      Solid waste management76,316263.343.78145,354198.642.411.331.5728,653,83084.911.273.102.972.341.90
        Capital outlay48,621167.772.4160,08782.111.002.042.421,863,1165.520.0830.3929.1514.8712.05

Governmental administration:
      Financial administration21,86975.461.08133,506182.452.210.410.4923,707,42470.251.051.071.032.602.10
      Judicial and legal7,80126.920.3921,77829.760.360.901.0727,887,73782.641.240.330.310.360.29
      General public buildings00.000.0024,19233.060.400.000.0013,643,40540.430.610.000.000.820.66
      Other governmental administration16,46956.830.82140,779192.392.330.300.3537,267,357110.431.650.510.491.741.41
      Interest on general debt37,040127.811.8491,259124.711.511.021.2166,807,524197.962.960.650.620.630.51

General expenditures, n.e.c.:
      Misc commercial activities00.000.0025,70635.130.430.000.002,707,8798.020.120.000.004.383.55
      Other and unallocable175,759606.488.71586,723801.809.720.760.90137,158,796406.436.081.491.431.971.60

Utility expenditures:
    Utility expenditure82,721285.444.10416,811569.606.910.500.59228,078,201675.8410.120.420.410.840.68
        Capital outlay15,89154.830.7998,992135.281.640.410.4850,897,505150.822.260.360.350.900.73
      Water supply44,335152.982.20141,398193.232.340.790.9482,479,587244.403.660.630.600.790.64
      Electric power1,6345.640.08155,095211.952.570.030.0373,696,368218.383.270.030.020.970.79
      Gas supply00.000.0061,71784.341.020.000.007,182,24421.280.320.000.003.963.21
      Transit36,752126.821.8258,60180.080.971.581.8864,720,002191.782.870.660.630.420.34

Liquor store expenditures:
    Liquor store expenditure00.000.007,61910.410.130.000.001,679,5244.980.070.000.002.091.69

Insurance trust expenditures:
    Insurance trust expenditure00.000.0000.000.000.000.0039,9940.120.000.000.000.000.00
      Unemployment compensation00.000.0000.000.000.000.0039,9940.120.000.000.000.000.00
      Employee retirement00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
      Workers' compensation00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
      Other insurance trust00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Debt outstanding1,351,2214,662.53100.003,015,7984,121.32100.001.131.002,042,775,1706,053.14100.000.771.000.681.00

  Short-term debt outstanding7,32225.270.548,75511.960.292.111.8728,356,92884.031.390.300.390.140.21
  Long-term debt outstanding1,343,8994,637.2799.463,007,0434,109.3599.711.131.002,014,418,2425,969.1198.610.781.010.691.01

Long-term debt issued195,340NANA420,380NANANANA264,717,314NANANANANANA
Long-term debt retired112,224NANA397,786NANANANA218,916,559NANANANANANA


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus