[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6652017,"mediaKeyId","2497178-5ae83f1e5c31246a4eb389f3af3eebd2","parentId",2497178,"title","Residents urge changes on property tax, food security and libraries during Mat-Su assembly public comment","audioSeconds",1123,"startMs",2340000,"endMs",3463000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497178-5ae83f1e5c31246a4eb389f3af3eebd2&start=2340&end=3463","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497178-5ae83f1e5c31246a4eb389f3af3eebd2/thumbnail_2340000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6652017/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Residents-urge-changes-on-property-tax-food-security-and-libraries-during-Mat-Su-assembly-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652017-048653494bc9b2573f4539b1a3f33954/orig.mp4?Expires=1770502153&Signature=lRqDGdJASDK6UCbOzlTSPkuAngfqDOx6JjPO8uXeUgMpzUmhfqL8eGXezUJKzfF-BCyQp2VrOQ82oYZ5Dl1v3NB6wVX8eLWTwb1gSnslfEaXlV07HBcF05XRodUj9vtspn8IXPzCIZNa5NnyKBxjlMIbaT~VTLddEZK2PazyMLue-F0oIEvby9bffFaXKG6MNsSVz8Jlc9OEuNG9zXRMvAdQiWQdRuYFK04YAbGKZKstV~nrKwkNc4o3-c3ICniTx8d2VdC7DomaKZMvTFfmdUtq9YwcOrjJ26n-qUq1tFPhkNZFv0GrZlhNPaygmE-myYnRWo87STpv7Z3A3bZmFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Matanuska-Susitna Borough","date","2025-03-05T05:16:59.317Z","article","Members of the public used the March 4 assembly public-comment periods to raise a range of local concerns, from property taxes and farmland uses to libraries, roads and community workforce scholarships.

Sam Tinksley told the assembly he opposes property taxes on land owners, arguing owners should not face continuing payments on property after purchase and saying rising property taxes pressure farms and can reduce farm acreage. \"When you buy something... I just believe it should belong to you indefinitely,\" Tinksley said, noting that much local property-tax revenue supports education.

Travis, a Palmer resident, urged the borough to explore alternative food-production approaches, including aquaponics and greenhouse systems, and suggested leveraging land such as the Palmer Hay Flats and portions of the Ambla Road project area for increased farming and food security.

Jackie Goforth, who said she had applied to the borough library board, expressed concerns about perceived ideological influence in libraries and raised specific allegations about a private contractor she identified as the \"Rose Group\" being paid to assist libraries with controversial materials. Goforth said she would like the library board to consider changing policies she described as retraumatizing for librarians during book challenges. She framed her remarks in broader cultural terms and urged the borough to preserve libraries.

Douglas Bartkow of Lazy Mountain asked the assembly to address maintenance on Lazy Mountain Road, which he said was once maintained by the state and has since lapsed in regular upkeep, leaving residents and deliveries at risk. Bartkow also raised mushing-related issues, including coordination for rabies clinics and possible assistance with kennel-licensing paperwork for mushers during events.

David Wilson, identifying himself as director of public policy for the Mat-Su Health Foundation, outlined the foundation's scholarship and workforce programs for health careers. He said the foundation funded about $3 million last year and expects to provide about $4 million this year for scholarships and vocational opportunities in health and human services fields, and noted an application deadline for scholarships of March 15.

Keith Dobson of Big Lake reported on a private company, Greenspark, that is pitching \"micro\" AI data centers that use excess utility power; he suggested the company consider pairing data-center heat exhaust with greenhouses to support local food production.

The assembly did not take action on individual public comments during the meeting; speakers were given time to present concerns and several assembly members indicated follow-up or appreciation for the input.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assembly General Meeting - March 4th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters at the March 4 meeting raised concerns about property taxes and farmland, proposed aquaponics and greenhouse ideas, asked for protections for libraries and raised local road and mushing issues; a Mat-Su Health Foundation representative described scholarship and workforce funding.","taxTitle","Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska","taxId",14460,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6652023,"Assembly ultimately adopts legislative priority to seek Open Meetings Act exemption for advisory service-area boards after reconsideration",2213,4430000,6643000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497178-5ae83f1e5c31246a4eb389f3af3eebd2&start=4430&end=6643","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497178-5ae83f1e5c31246a4eb389f3af3eebd2/thumbnail_4430000.jpg","/articles/6652023/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-ultimately-adopts-legislative-priority-to-seek-Open-Meetings-Act-exemption-for-advisory-service-area-boards-after-reconsideration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652023-e37c494fd2b64448a28c92097272e3fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770502153&Signature=h8YkNC29Pu6HttBNK-MV-eGtBe2uP~FHS5qynSHBD7iypcoE5bgx~lN7C5XRHwUX8~1JdyFVs4e9xSgs3DOioV4L4kus2LtQD5vz216gUwoaH6sxdHUf2RHKoa8LAHUo1WySunSP9jpbs7PmOoJdWTO0T0aJU8Lo3DrttemLBMiz-1aVcq1D9P0HHInGqnjQ9T-i0mRgbA3lQuQa-n2C86WYjDmxBWnguFqq0LK~tkEIUFBNHnGzwooEvIaO2OptuTPcUP3nRSxCQqlTsDVkarZycdmw21NDN-Z4PRNvWSanili5cGxUy-S5SihAi2GhGAOGbZEIFHSe-DMdKvYMbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly debated and ultimately adopted a legislative-priority resolution on March 4 asking the Alaska Legislature to allow local governments the option to exempt advisory service-area boards from the state Open Meetings Act — but the measure’s path included an initial failure and a subsequent reconsideration.

Assemblymember Stephanie Nowers, who pulled Resolution 25-026 from the consent agenda, said she opposed the exemption and argued for maintaining transparency: \"I really am gonna on the side of transparency for these boards,\" she said, adding that open meetings create expectations about how boards conduct themselves and that advisory boards overseeing road and fire service areas have a direct fiscal impact on residents.

Assemblymember Dimitri Fonoff and others argued the resolution merely seeks local control to allow flexibility in small, rural advisory boards where meeting rules can create practical challenges. Fonoff said the change would give boroughs the option to tailor rules where travel and small board size make compliance difficult and would not itself exempt boards without additional local action to implement changes.

The measure initially failed on a voice/clerical count; the clerk reported it did not reach the required four affirmative votes in that round. The assembly then moved to reconsider the item. After the motion to reconsider succeeded, the assembly voted again and adopted the legislative-priority resolution. The clerk recorded the final passage with the mayor (Assemblymember Nowers) opposed.

Borough attorney staff and the clerk answered members' procedural questions during the debate, explaining that the Open Meetings Act already contains exemptions for boards that exercise managerial or administrative power and that the proposed change sought an additional local-option exemption for advisory boards. Speakers on both sides said the change, if enacted by the legislature, would still leave substantial local authority to define the exemption's scope.

Supporters said the change would provide flexibility for small, geographically dispersed service-area boards; opponents warned it would undercut public access and the expectation of transparent local government. The resolution will be forwarded as a legislative priority to state lawmakers for consideration.","After an initial failed vote and a later motion to reconsider, the assembly passed a resolution requesting the legislature allow local option to exempt advisory service-area boards from the Open Meetings Act; the measure drew sustained debate about transparency and local control.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6652026,"Assembly approves road, grant and personnel measures; several contracts announced",413,3575000,3988000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497178-5ae83f1e5c31246a4eb389f3af3eebd2&start=3575&end=3988","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497178-5ae83f1e5c31246a4eb389f3af3eebd2/thumbnail_3575000.jpg","/articles/6652026/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-approves-road-grant-and-personnel-measures-several-contracts-announced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652026-8bc106a4534c483b68e0dd59ef4217f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770502153&Signature=GEL1Jxo3yiIijEpZHzWhWQzKEALnyVArG5MFS4EXgufcaFIZuSCux8Y7M9DoEneQ8I0xZV9XZU1dXQ5uVVg6n-Hk9msZjK2JGBOxTFvHqTF70ix28wMqBDujk9ezhJkgNUJXbty13uldKaX5qa9zxtrooucL5CNFQRCjA8SUvQve2fdALjnMzYdPdftzwjxEPro8L3BbIcfrnuj2VebIzKATAg2OtSCz7Y-Y7zYoOQAfhQtUppCWjKDxSxnH1KN4pq1uysA72cfWyppcWbN48VR7aZrPh6uSAjPvTDngogiqKXHLO70mUb9BAMkflIrzXiHMbJ7mCqEXIufPV1kC2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly approved a series of ordinances and contract actions at its March 4 regular meeting, moving money into local road projects, accepting a federal fish-passage grant, and approving a project-funded right-of-way position for ongoing capital projects.

Key actions the assembly adopted included an appropriation of $314,014 from the Big Lake Road service-area fund balance to the Big Lake Road service-area road improvement project list (Ordinance 25-016); an amendment to borough code to set the Willow-Caswell Fire Service Area Board at five members (Ordinance 25-019); acceptance of $60,000 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plus a matching $60,000 contribution for the Coal Creek at Susanna Drive fish-passage replacement (Ordinance 25-021, paired with Resolution 25-016); and the creation of a project-funded regular full-time right-of-way acquisition officer for the predesign and engineering division of Public Works (Ordinance 25-022).

Tom Adams, director of public works, described the right-of-way position as project-funded and intended to cover acquisition duties associated with TIP 2021 and TIP 2024 ballot projects. \"This position will be purely funded by project funds and not by operating budget,\" Adams said, adding that the role is expected to last roughly three years, matching project timelines.

Several consent agenda items and contracts were presented and approved without objection. The clerk reported concluded contracts including: a $495,704.71 final amount for Big Rock Road Improvements with Western Construction and Equipment (Contract 23126B); a $36,196,452 final contract with Roger Hickel Contracting to construct Houston Middle School (Bid 21150B); and multiple road-improvement and station remodel contracts. The assembly approved awards including a $1,520,256 purchase for a Hughes fire equipment pumper tender and a $127,357 design contract for school elevator replacements.

Most measures passed on voice votes with no formal roll-call tallies recorded in the public record. Where the assembly took a recorded step, staff explained funding sources, timing and any required matches. Several pieces of introduced legislation were set for public hearings at the next meeting on March 18, including a suite of ordinances and resolutions listed by the clerk.

The assembly moved quickly through the consent agenda and the ordinances were adopted with motions from members present; formal, item-specific roll-call vote counts were not provided in the minutes for most measures.","On March 4 the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly passed appropriations for road projects, a fish-passage grant acceptance, and a project-funded right-of-way position, and approved multiple contracts and change orders on the consent agenda.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6652031,"Alaska State Troopers tell Matanuska-Susitna Borough they are pursuing a new post near Trapper Creek and report staffing gains",548,1427000,1975000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2497178-5ae83f1e5c31246a4eb389f3af3eebd2&start=1427&end=1975","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2497178-5ae83f1e5c31246a4eb389f3af3eebd2/thumbnail_1427000.jpg","/articles/6652031/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Alaska-State-Troopers-tell-Matanuska-Susitna-Borough-they-are-pursuing-a-new-post-near-Trapper-Creek-and-report-staffing-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652031-ac88b625357acd65a2923bc340a6e4ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1770502153&Signature=l7-g2~FFLKkAVrudQskG99ncUvcSdb70ry78AptEvqFHEUj1PEoZTSUOR5n-DP6XMTVM3kCZlFkY4hhzqUeKKmDNo5535xpyfS941t2sOiBnsbaJ61bjWV0ybARJ0DmxdsfvEuc4h-qgQqw1QmGQn2t3tLP5Yzn4WernG5tdzDJ7-8xM4x6OUg3LZ9GdYlf5YEIZ9QQ9RdISCOv3emcd9KwlnCiSzI73YWqEEaGswyZ5t56PPThhEMklFdtA~530BSaOdhP3be3isL1fKsbeX4mOw0~8h3fkDViy4pORwVN2VtVJJWMbNUGDkLYvoNo0NvLMe2nw0DpLMtfJIm5WmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alaska State Troopers told the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly on March 4 that they are seeking to reestablish a detachment post near Trapper Creek and that recruiting and training gains are improving their ability to do proactive enforcement.

The request for fiscal year 2026 funding would reestablish a post in the Upper Susitna near Trapper Creek, \"which would greatly benefit those communities, reduce call response times,\" Captain Gorn, detachment commander for the Alaska State Troopers in the Mat-Su Valley, said during the assembly meeting. The proposed post would include a sergeant, three troopers, a wildlife trooper and civilian support staff, he said.

Troopers said the department's staffing picture is improving. \"We currently have seven recruits in field training right now,\" Gorn said. The field-training program lasts about four months; troopers expect many of the recruits to be certified and on independent patrol within a few months. Lieutenant Tim Cronin, deputy commander and head of patrol operations for the detachment, told the assembly that additional staffed positions would enable more traffic enforcement, street-level drug interdiction and the possible reconstituting of a criminal suppression unit.

Cronin described several operational priorities as the valley shifts toward warmer weather: overdoses that arrive in \"waves,\" motor-vehicle collisions linked to faster, summer-style driving and an intention to use drones to reduce roadway closure times for serious collisions. \"It's not uncommon, for us to be able to get a serious or fatal motor vehicle collision, the road closed and opened within an hour and a half or so,\" Cronin said, crediting drone use with shortening closure times.

Assembly members asked how communities can best help when they see possible drug activity. \"We can't be everywhere at once,\" Gorn replied. He urged continued tip reporting and noted that tips may feed into investigations even when immediate response is not possible. Troopers said they coordinate closely with borough emergency medical services and code compliance and that interagency collaboration has helped resolve local problems such as a recent issue at the Big Lake Motel.

Assemblyperson Bill Gamble and others thanked the troopers for their work and for coordinating with borough departments; Gamble said his phone calls about the Big Lake Motel \"have finally quit ringing off the hooks\" following trooper and borough action. The troopers emphasized that continued gains in staffing would be the key to expanding proactive enforcement and reducing response times.

The troopers' budget request will proceed through the state's FY26 budgeting process; the assembly did not take action on the request at the meeting.","Troopers briefed the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly on March 4 about a FY26 request to reopen an Upper Susitna post near Trapper Creek, current recruit progress, and plans to increase proactive enforcement if staffing improves.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge changes on property tax, food security and libraries during Mat-Su assembly public comment

Assembly ultimately adopts legislative priority to seek Open Meetings Act exemption for advisory service-area boards after reconsideration

Assembly approves road, grant and personnel measures; several contracts announced

Alaska State Troopers tell Matanuska-Susitna Borough they are pursuing a new post near Trapper Creek and report staffing gains