Midterm Performance Report
Bronson Administration
At the halfway point in his three-year term, how have Mayor Bronson and his team performed on the critical issues facing Anchorage?
Overview:
Mayor Bronson took office in July of 2021 with promises to open Anchorage for business, reduce spending, and make headway on housing and homelessness. However, the Bronson administration has struggled with basic management and has prompted alarming allegations related to unethical behavior and corruption. These process and personnel issues have led to an exodus of experienced workers from key city jobs and serious cost overruns. The revolving door of hiring and firing scandals on the Mayor’s team has also contributed to failures on several key policy areas. Overall, Mayor Bronson and his team are receiving a low midterm performance grade and need to make significant changes to avoid a failed administration.
Overall Performance: D
Transportation & Infrastructure
Grade: D
When snow storms hit in December (highest average annual snowfall) one third of the Muni plow fleet was inoperable and unable to go to work.
Lack of preparation led to a 75% increase in street clearing times and unprecedented school and business closures.
Mayor Bronson initially blamed delays on unusually high snowfall, but local media learned that Bronson ignored reports of cost increases and labor shortages from the snow removal department dating back to June. “One reason for snowplow delays? Poor planning and preparation in City Hall, say elected officials” Anchorage Daily News, December 10, 2022
Port of Alaska
Grade: B
In February, Anchorage was awarded $367M in damages from the suit over the failed expansion effort.
Lawmakers in Juneau then secured $200M in state funds to close the cost gap on Port repairs.
The Bronson administration has drawn criticism from business groups for advocating design changes that add $150-200M to the cost, potentially stalling the project
Crime & Policing
Grade: C
The Bronson Administration launched with a commitment to growing the police budget and the appointment of the city’s first black Chief of Police.
However, Chief Ken McCoy resigned months after his appointment, allegedly in response to a series of improper demands from the Mayor’s team. “APD Chief McCoy announced resignation in response to improper demands by Bronson administration, sources claim” Alaska Landmine, December 11, 2021
Crime stats are trending up, with the average 911 call wait time increased by 25%, impacted by a 50% vacancy rate for non sworn staff and 62 vacant officer positions. Assembly Information Memorandum: November 2022 Expenditure Reports for General Government Departments
Multiple local media outlets have reported on a secret “Men’s Club” of APD staff connected to the Anchorage Baptist Temple, reporting directly to the Mayor outside of APD leadership channels, undermining force integrity. “With Bronson at the wheel, Anchorage is starting to feel like a clown car” Anchorage Press, Dec 27, 2021
Local Schools
Grade: D
The Anchorage School District is looking at class size expansions and school closures due to a budget shortfall.
Mayor Bronson has cut funding for the school resource officers program.
Record number of snow-related school closures led to 30 extra minutes of class time per day.
Housing & Homelessness
Grade: F
After 1.5 years, the Bronson Administration still has yet to develop and implement a plan to address homelessness.
Bronson’s failed megashelter proposal cost taxpayers nearly $5 million in unapproved contracts.
Bronson surprised homeless shelter partners by temporarily shutting down the Sullivan Arena homeless shelter and rerouting individuals to Centennial Campground, without supplies or infrastructure.
Without a plan for winter conditions, Bronson was forced to reopen the Sullivan months later, going back on his campaign promise to return the arena to normal use.
The chaos and lack of planning prompted conservative Assembly member Jamie Allard to say she was “appalled” by the lack of answers from the administration, with the city currently engaged in ongoing excessive spending on last-minute stop-gaps. "Bronson plans to close homeless camp and open shelters in Fairview and Spenard recreation centers” Anchorage Daily News, September 8, 2022
Budget & Spending
Grade: C
In November, Anchorage’s credit rating was downgraded by two of the major credit rating agencies. The Mayor’s Office put out a press release in response identifying budget cuts as the remedy to the downgrade.
However, Bronson’s proposed FY2023 budget came in at $17 million dollars more than the budget passed by the Assembly for the previous year. “Fitch downgrades Anchorage bond rating, though it calls city’s fiscal outlook ‘stable’” Anchorage Daily News, November 25, 2022
City spending has been inflated by significant overruns on fuel budgets, as well as the hiring of consultants to cover for unusually high vacancy rates in city staff. “Anchorage city departments blow past fuel budgets amid high gas prices” By Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, August 2, 2022"
Hiring & Management
Grade: D
Widespread concerns are developing in relation to an exodus of staff from Municipal positions. “City human resources director resigns, citing ‘demoralizing work environment’” Anchorage Daily News, February 6, 2023
The Bronson Administration is now paying a premium for consultants to backfill the work of unfilled positions, most recently asking the Assembly for up to $2M for three outside finance firms to cover the vacancies.
Bronson is on his fourth chief of staff; his municipal manager was fired; his Human Resources Director, CFO and Municipal Attorney resigned; and his former Real Estate Director is suing him.
Bronson’s human resources director cited a “toxic work environment.”
Ethics & Transparency
Grade: F
The Bronson administration was accused of giving out at least 10 illegal contracts, as well as a series of illegal favors for political campaign donors. “Wrongful Termination of Anchorage Municipal Manager Amy Demboski Our Matter No. 10965-1” January 11, 2023
The administration is currently facing a major lawsuit for withholding public records. Anchorage-based reporter Kyle Hopkins, Twitter post, January 11, 2023, 10:14 p.m.
For five weeks and counting, Mayor Bronson has refused to publicly address the 11 allegations of corruption and mismanagement from the fired City Manager Amy Demboski.
