The Anchorage Council has overruled most of Mayor Dave Bronson’s veto on next year’s city budget passed last month.
The largest veto canceled Tuesday night totaled about $1.2 million for Brother Francis Shelter to permanently increase its capacity to 120 people. The shelter normally serves 75 people, but since July it has seen a surge in capacity to 120 people.
Bronson Chief of Staff Adam Trombly told Congress that the mayor refused funding because he heard from the Francis brothers that the capacity could not be increased.
But Robin Dempsey said otherwise. Dempsey is the Executive Director of Catholic Social Services, which oversees Brother Francis.
“Our intention is to have 120 beds permanently,” Dempsey said Tuesday at Congress.
“Through the chair, perfect,” replied Trombly.
Congress voted 8 to 3, nullifying all but two of the mayor’s vetoes. It did not nullify the veto of funding to increase security on Congressional floors. It also passed funding for outreach on alcohol taxes, separate from next year’s budget.
Related: Anchorage Council Takes No Action on Mayor Bronson’s Request to Expand Sullivan Shelter Capacity
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