[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6610979,"mediaKeyId","2900948-4cca880afa06e714863e0f7b801cba35","parentId",2900948,"title","Assembly approves nearly $5 million appropriation tied to South Tongass fire rebuild and equipment; loan and insurance timing drew questions","audioSeconds",1668,"startMs",3768000,"endMs",5436000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2900948-4cca880afa06e714863e0f7b801cba35&start=3768&end=5436","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2900948-4cca880afa06e714863e0f7b801cba35/thumbnail_3768000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6610979/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-approves-nearly-5-million-appropriation-tied-to-South-Tongass-fire-rebuild-and-equipment-loan-and-insurance-timing-drew-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610979-ef41ebefd49af4eb17c74a2a98d63096/orig.mp4?Expires=1770799805&Signature=C06-K6JuHDBAjEAn4DZioN-5dRjjFFh7MGx0vPxOpGuaONd7SDM0kch2NjQJodvVHw2G-ZJ0kbB1exo4Pvqj37gcp1wT7OzLG4yfv5rme2~UOHTbZK6fMJV1D-6pcIgHWu9kwnBWzjhV4CVtS2b5hwytO1hfRnW6XejEuGtqIweNGxWA82k5zx08OCeq-7YgVBYJhvZFdKpq~MTRlSG2iQ-th~m4r5r3hNU2sMpNNjn6chLhaSZzsvGxTCZwKKo4wdDIdH9j4yx5Bl11ykH5Mz~23naCvw6S9kP9h-SeLHUpaGhj5vTPKHDqcu7kbFSWr0Usdqt1mEF9Gvldn5KXUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ketchikan Gateway Borough","date","2025-04-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly approved Ordinance 2,062 on April 7, appropriating $4,990,297 to support recovery from the April fire that destroyed the South Tongass fire station and equipment. The ordinance packages insurance reimbursements, a previously approved interfund loan from the general fund, and a state homeland security grant to replenish equipment and support rebuild costs.

What passed: the appropriation authorizes use of insurance proceeds to reimburse constituent accounts for contents and vehicle replacement, recognizes a $1.4 million interfund loan from the general fund to the South Tongass service area (the loan had been approved earlier in the year to secure timely purchases, assembly documentation shows) and includes $55,000 tied to a state homeland security grant for portable radios and $100,000 from the South Tongass service area for an aerial ladder upfit.

Why it was contested: assembly members pressed finance staff and the fire chief to explain why an interfund loan was necessary when roughly $3.4 million in insurance reimbursements had already been received. Staff explained the building replacement estimate and some insurance settlement components were still outstanding when the borough had to commit to purchase orders earlier in the year; the loan covered immediate equipment procurement and replacement vehicle orders while the final building valuation and remaining insurance settlement were pending.

Manager and assembly clarifications: borough staff told the assembly they plan not to transfer the full proceeds immediately into the South Tongass account but to use insurance proceeds first and only trigger the interfund loan as cash is needed — a procedural adjustment the assembly endorsed. Assemblymember Glenn Thompson proposed and staff agreed the borough would not charge interest to the South Tongass service area until the borough is actually out of pocket, in order to avoid placing an interest burden on local ratepayers while the borough holds reimbursed cash earning interest.

Action and vote: Ordinance 2,062 (amended during debate to clarify appropriation language) passed on a roll call vote with six yes votes. The ordinance appropriates the insurance proceeds received to date, recognizes the earlier general‑fund loan, and establishes spending authority for equipment replacement and building rebuild activities.

Context and next steps: finance staff and the fire chief said vehicle replacements and a ladder truck purchase were time‑sensitive and required a January contract commitment when insurance settlements were still under review. The assembly requested continued transparency about final insurance settlements, confirmed that funds received for the building would be held pending final valuation, and asked staff to return with any clarifying amendments if settlement numbers change. Members also discussed options to minimize cost impacts on South Tongass ratepayers while ensuring essential firefighting capacity is restored.

Quote: “We had to sign a purchase order in January to get a ladder truck and other apparatus; we didn’t yet have the final insurance appraisal,” the borough’s finance director said during the meeting, explaining the loan’s timing.

Ending: The ordinance gives the borough and the South Tongass service area the spending authority needed to replace apparatus and begin building work. Staff will continue reconciling final insurance payouts with actual replacement costs and bring any further adjustments or accounting refinements to the assembly as settlement details are finalized.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ketchikan Gateway Borough - Assembly - Regular - Apr 07, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Ordinance 2062, appropriating about $4.99 million for South Tongass service area recovery after last year’s fire — including insurance reimbursements, an interfund loan and a small federal grant — passed after prolonged auditor and assembly questioning about insurance timing and loan mechanics.","taxTitle","Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska","taxId",27492,"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},6610984,"Assembly directs FY‑26 school funding plan, approves FY‑25 supplemental aid and ratifies a district technology lease",5085,3291000,8376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2900948-4cca880afa06e714863e0f7b801cba35&start=3291&end=8376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2900948-4cca880afa06e714863e0f7b801cba35/thumbnail_3291000.jpg","/articles/6610984/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-directs-FY26-school-funding-plan-approves-FY25-supplemental-aid-and-ratifies-a-district-technology-lease","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610984-6e4ce0f8493ad53d58aa2a4721157e7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770799805&Signature=Fy6y5xfxsD~MmhoG2A5Lpb3k5BzernuVl~UjfthhOVHCVcESeHj11DWfu0BCyHCVlITxWg8VsEBqQZq6MtsvtmIbRbQIOYi-AEDmxCFMciYfns2xstdnuD8GRbybY91BvWuTnb6n26NEGFqWqsa-Q2NO1rcy~6nO1BoZvKZVV~z7F3oZh0PAm1N08k3hYJaQakFquoYdGWFunDan4ICynjrJkASAbR~3bCN7T8FKf1TDZB57P9omwRVOMjhhjAyNVycr4bmFfjANGBm2339xc5UZhKN9CmA3cLDCsLQa6pp41reHmcrvXIARPW-Wvw4Bt-RNMsBFU7mN9KbF4IAjrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly moved April 7 to give the school district immediate financial certainty while directing staff to prepare a FY‑26 funding ordinance that preserves a local education fund floor and phases funding for the coming year.

In a work session the assembly approved a FY‑25 supplemental funding package the borough will introduce April 21 that provides roughly $453,000 in cash to the school district and an additional in‑kind appropriation (debt forgiveness and accounting treatment) of about $485,000. That supplemental was approved by the assembly at the meeting’s close.

Simultaneously, the assembly directed staff to prepare a FY‑26 school funding ordinance that uses 90% of a $5,960 base student allocation (BSA) for preliminary budgeting — a step the assembly said would preserve the borough’s $2,000,000 local education fund (LEF) floor and allow the borough time to resolve budget risks tied to uncertain state revenues (Secure Rural Schools and other state actions).

Why it matters: the district faces continuing shortfalls and cash pressures that have prompted budget cuts, potential teacher reductions and personnel decisions — including the need for a special school board meeting to decide next year’s operating model. Assembly members and the school board president said the supplemental and the FY‑26 direction give the district clearer revenue assumptions for recruiting, hiring and a superintendent search.

District briefing and public comment: School Board President Catherine Tatsuta told the assembly the district is preparing for an intensive superintendent search, has scheduled public meetings and will weigh two operational plans that differ in personnel reductions and program structure. The board is considering an “elementary school specialization” model and a consolidation model; one option would cut about 12 teachers and paras, the other could require about 17 teacher cuts and a vice principal and a para. The district has scheduled a special meeting to consider final decisions.

Tatsuta also described the district’s efforts to improve communications with the borough and the public and confirmed the district approved a RIF (reduction in force) plan to comply with contractual and statutory deadlines should state funding fall short.

Work‑session findings: finance and public‑works staff told the assembly the LEF faces continued pressure: if the legislature does not restore Secure Rural Schools funding or approve higher base student allocations, the LEF could be dragged toward its reserve floor and beyond. Staff modeled two scenarios: one assuming the legislature leaves a $5,960 BSA in place and another assuming a higher BSA. The assembly approved motions that (a) fund FY‑25 supplemental aid while preserving a $2,000,000 LEF balance and (b) direct staff to draft a FY‑26 ordinance at 90% of a $5,960 BSA so the borough and district avoid a mid‑year crisis and have time to identify longer‑term revenue options (PILT negotiations, reallocation choices, or mill adjustments).

Technology lease ratified: Separately, the assembly ratified a five‑year lease agreement the district negotiated with a vendor to refresh classroom devices (roughly 445 student devices and 45 staff machines). The lease will be financed across five annual payments of approximately $46,000; the assembly was told the arrangement spreads the cost and will be counted against the district’s FY‑26 budget and the borough’s cap calculations rather than as an extra borough contribution. The assembly’s vote to ratify the lease passed 4–3.

Caveats and next steps: borough staff warned the assembly that the school district’s most recent audit highlighted internal control and interfund transaction risks. Several assembly members asked the district to ensure any internal transfers follow board approvals and include explicit repayment plans. The assembly’s funding direction is intended to buy time for the borough, the district and state advocates to seek sustainable revenue changes — including reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools, a potential change to the federal PILT side‑B formula, or other revenue adjustments.

Quotes: “We are accepting applications [for superintendent] and we’re hoping to have finalists for in‑person interviews in May,” School Board President Catherine Tatsuta told the assembly. Assemblymember Glenn Thompson said the FY‑26 direction gives the district breathing room while the borough pursues longer‑term solutions.

Ending: The assembly’s actions provide short‑term cash and a path for FY‑26 budgeting but leave several policy and revenue risks unresolved. Borough staff and the assembly said they expect multiple follow‑up items — including an FY‑26 ordinance, additional budget choices, and continued conversation with lawmakers about state support for rural schools.","After a lengthy work session on the borough’s budget and school financing, the assembly approved a FY‑25 supplemental funding package for the school district, directed staff on a FY‑26 funding ordinance tied to a 90% BSA figure, and ratified a five‑year lease the district will use to refresh classroom devices.",{"_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},6610988,"Ketchikan Gateway Borough backs reestablishing ferry link to Prince Rupert; asks staff to explore Hyder option",5246,676000,5922000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2900948-4cca880afa06e714863e0f7b801cba35&start=676&end=5922","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2900948-4cca880afa06e714863e0f7b801cba35/thumbnail_676000.jpg","/articles/6610988/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough-backs-reestablishing-ferry-link-to-Prince-Rupert-asks-staff-to-explore-Hyder-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610988-dc8f683fb52c4aeea727c67bb68a33ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770799805&Signature=fSgSY1J4DaYHbOmeZFmF4pfjBQ22tP7WlLQe3QDZ7WsOEbqeZmvCrFXPY7TWwoXOLdDCzht8xuvgsexx5GezTMU8ITBf~m3PY7SxShBkfuGKAqPiukQLigC~u79zqq86TFlr1AZO2M5PRXvNr7O7~1tR3IYrZ4qFXmKqbkbDN5wmpUUXoQBm6FbFu6Mh9CdfRg~0qnFQ690tp5yDPdrSJ6Cdy67CoA3xiwUR5~M~0eiaIz3PZtW2k09G7hdtR58-wL78ve2J6T6ZrRBYMFD~J01l49HJIV7UXqL0r2Dv~QQe-Y1rQR0BibYAwhOyi0x3pv0uUEASBbYO709X4uYKyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly voted April 7 to join Southeast Conference in seeking restoration of regular Alaska Marine Highway ferry service to Prince Rupert, passing Resolution 3-116 after public comments from long-time ferry users and residents.

The assembly’s action follows months of testimony and discussion at public comment from residents who urged the borough to press the state and federal partners to reestablish vehicle ferry access to the British Columbia road network. Assemblymember Glenn Thompson moved the resolution; the roll call recorded six ayes and no nos for adoption.

Why it matters: restoral of a Ketchikan–Prince Rupert vehicle link would reconnect Southeast Alaska to the BC highway network for people and freight, advocates said, and is a focus of Southeast Conference’s regional economic planning. Some residents urged the borough to also pursue Hyder, Alaska — a U.S. port of entry adjacent to Stewart, B.C. — arguing Hyder could avoid international permitting and Buy America waiver complications.

During public comment, several residents recounted repeated ferry trips to Prince Rupert and described potential operational and cost advantages for Hyder. James (Jim) Dahl and Mary Lynn Dahl, who said they travel frequently to Prince Rupert, requested the assembly add Hyder to its position so the borough would keep multiple options open. Al Jacobson and others also spoke in support of reestablishing road access via a ferry link.

On the floor, Assemblymember Bowling proposed an amendment to add Hyder wherever Prince Rupert was mentioned in the resolution. That amendment was withdrawn after debate: some assembly members said Hyder warrants its own focused resolution rather than being added here, while others urged the borough to pursue every viable route. After the ordinance vote the assembly explicitly directed staff to prepare a separate resolution or follow-up focused on Hyder; the chair confirmed staff would return with that proposal.

What the resolution does: the approved text recognizes the long-standing economic, social and cultural ties between Southeast Alaska and Prince Rupert and authorizes joining regional work — led by Southeast Conference — to pursue reestablishing regular vehicle ferry service. The motion included a formal request that the borough participate in, and support, outreach to state and federal partners to pursue funding and required approvals.

Details and next steps: assembly members and speakers repeatedly referenced recent Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board (AMHOB) meetings, a request for Buy America waivers tied to the Prince Rupert option, and state Department of Transportation feasibility work on Hyder. The assembly asked staff to bring back a Hyder-focused proposal; members said any follow-up should include cost estimates for differing terminal locations, potential vessel equipment (SOLAS/SOLAS-equipment) implications, and regulatory or Customs/Border Protection issues for cross-border routing.

Quotes: “At a minimum, including Hyder as an option along with Prince Rupert will keep all of your options open,” Mary Lynn Dahl told the assembly, urging the borough not to limit its advocacy. Assemblymember Thompson said the borough should reestablish its historical connection with Prince Rupert but signaled support for a separate Hyder effort: \"I will support prioritizing a separate resolution for a ferry system in Hyder.”

Where this goes next: staff will draft and return with a Hyder-specific measure and with supporting research where possible; the borough’s participation in Southeast Conference activities on Prince Rupert moves forward immediately under the passed resolution. Funding, terminal ownership questions, and federal buy-in were not resolved at the meeting and will require further state, federal and tribal coordination.

Ending: Assembly members framed the vote as reopening a stalled regional effort to restore an essential transportation link. They emphasized that further technical work and intergovernmental negotiation remains necessary before any terminal or route is fixed.

","The borough assembly voted to join Southeast Conference in seeking restoration of Alaska Marine Highway ferry service to Prince Rupert and asked staff to return with a separate proposal exploring Hyder as an alternative connection to the BC road network.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly approves nearly $5 million appropriation tied to South Tongass fire rebuild and equipment; loan and insurance timing drew questions

Assembly directs FY‑26 school funding plan, approves FY‑25 supplemental aid and ratifies a district technology lease

Ketchikan Gateway Borough backs reestablishing ferry link to Prince Rupert; asks staff to explore Hyder option