For the first time in several years — the exact number unknown — Homer’s city manager this week gave the State of the City address.
The event, which took place at Kachemak Bay Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 12, was included as part of a luncheon hosted by the Homer Chamber of Commerce. Recently elected Mayor Rachel Lord, along with other city council members and city staff, were also present during the address to answer questions posed by audience members.
In her address, City Manager Melissa Jacobsen, who has worked for the City of Homer for more than 20 years and was hired as the new city manager earlier this year, gave an administrative overview of Homer that included details on the city’s departmental organization, an overview of the city council and its relationship with city advisory boards, commissions and committees, population demographic information and updates on ongoing major city projects.
Jacobsen noted that Homer’s population has increased by an estimated 9.3% since the last census was conducted in 2020. According to the census bureau, she said, Homer’s population in 2023 showed more than 6,000 residents.
Jacobsen also covered the city’s biennial operating budget, which includes the “dollars that make the city run from day to day.”
The city anticipated approximately $16.2 million of revenue to be brought in for the operating budget for fiscal year 2024, and $16.5 million for FY25. Jacobsen said that the city recently closed out FY24 and that period is currently being audited. In what she called “unaudited numbers,” revenue for FY24 amounts to approximately $14.6 million.
“Overall, city finances are good. We’re doing great,” she said. “Things are happening and we’re getting our work done. We are going to have to adjust a little bit so we can make up those difference (in the operating budget).”
The discrepancy will be made up with a transference of funds from the Homer Accelerated Roads and Trails fund — a routine move that is based on a previously established agreement by the city council to transfer a small portion of HART funds to the operating budget to offset regular maintenance expenses.
Jacobsen also said that the city has begun budget planning for the 2026-27 fiscal period.
She provided an overview of recently completed and ongoing projects for the audience members. Among the recently completed were the Bayview Park renovation, a portion of which — specifically parking and accessibility features — was accomplished using HART funds, and the new sidewalk on Ben Walters Lane, which was also funded through the HART Fund. For ongoing projects, she provided brief status updates on the Homer Harbor Expansion and the Homer Comprehensive Plan Rewrite.
At the conclusion of Jacobsen’s presentation, audience members were invited to ask questions of both Jacobsen and Lord. Questions touched on city budget planning, potential population growth and whether city infrastructure is equipped to meet correlative demand, and transportation availability and future options.
Find the full recording of the 2024 State of the City address online, on the Homer Chamber of Commerce website at www.homeralaska.org/chamber/resources/discussions/, or on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HomerChamberofCommerce/.
Homer Mayor Rachel Lord answers audience questions following the State of the City address on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
