[{"_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",6558573,"mediaKeyId","3241510-165a404a4c9c8f2e834c22ce6c8beb78","parentId",3241510,"title","Kodiak school superintendent asks borough to approve $12.98 million request as district faces multi‑million deficit","audioSeconds",1709,"startMs",839000,"endMs",2548000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3241510-165a404a4c9c8f2e834c22ce6c8beb78&start=839&end=2548","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3241510-165a404a4c9c8f2e834c22ce6c8beb78/thumbnail_839000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6558573/Kodiak-Island-Borough/Alaska/Kodiak-school-superintendent-asks-borough-to-approve-1298-million-request-as-district-faces-multimillion-deficit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558573-cdf4fe4d56c4fdc64e842f910e8d2a45/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098725&Signature=LQcFtL8SbfSulDwmfSnYKQhVujwoObZx8w9LI-IALbD9fhISuxdV3DPkXA5DQ3VCs0WadVLU4g8krIugHN8x-vAqWcqUdpvypejo6k4q4Ns0kA0vsHOA3j97JEZGfqtqYnNeVlZZVV3IRL82z1-ao3YomzDnA3tYPjNfTX9SO6IjcQyLjJkEREs2gCjn4uLBOFX4jtH1~wUNJlfUn77tGAC8UeEZqTTnusTKFh1BGVywiOXZ6ViTr3fivVL2uqHz7vTTEe2WutnB40eWM9Kssgf3AHJqLRGxtMldfZJM-4uOQ9Vwo6hX192griRYVmUElEa0ezfTChT-U427IUtpsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kodiak Island Borough","date","2025-05-09T05:18:42Z","article","Cindy Micah, superintendent of the Kodiak Island Borough School District, asked the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly to approve the district’s full FY26 funding request of $12,979,556.50 at an upcoming May 29 meeting, saying the district faces a multi‑million dollar shortfall.

“I want to express my thanks to the assembly for coming together with the board of education in March to discuss the district's budget and the financial challenges facing both our district and the community,” Micah said. She told the assembly the district began the FY26 budgeting process after completing its FY24 audit and that the district is projecting a roughly $10,000,000 deficit for the upcoming fiscal year.

The superintendent said the district took steps to reduce costs, including the Board of Education’s February decision to close North Star Elementary — a measure Micah said is expected to save “approximately $3,000,000, primarily in personnel‑related costs.” The preliminary budget assumes a 3.40 increase to the base student allocation and the use of about $5,000,000 from the district’s fund balance, Micah said. She asked the borough to honor the district’s full ask so essential programs and services can be maintained.

Assembly members and borough staff pressed on how state action and local revenue limits could change the district’s financial picture. Amy (borough manager) and Dora (finance director) explained Maptur, the borough’s maximum allowable property tax revenue calculation, can affect how much property tax the borough can collect and therefore how much it can contribute to the district. Dora said the manager’s proposed budget initially reflected flat funding from the prior year and that the preliminary manager’s budget did not yet include the district’s May 29 increase request.

Assembly members also discussed pending state actions. According to testimony in the meeting, the governor had announced a veto of House Bill 57 the same day the superintendent met with him; if the bill were later overridden, the administration warned it could reduce allocations again in a final budget. The assembly heard that if some increases to the state foundation formula become permanent, roughly 50% of that increase would be committed to employee salaries under existing collective bargaining agreements.

Assembly members urged the borough and school district to begin joint planning for longer‑term financial stability rather than relying heavily on fund balance. Dr. Leduc and other members noted that drawing down fund balance this year (the district described using most of its fund balance to balance FY26) could leave deeper cuts necessary in subsequent fiscal years. Finance staff said the district will need to project two‑ to three‑year impacts and that using several million dollars of fund balance this year will increase the cuts needed the following year.

Micah reiterated the district submitted its preliminary budget on April 30 and said the district’s ask keeps the borough contribution at roughly the same percentage of the borough cap (96.11%). She closed by reiterating the request for the assembly’s support on May 29.

Looking ahead, borough staff said the manager’s level‑2 budget will be updated to reflect assembly direction and anticipated state changes. The assembly will take up the district’s request again at its May 29 work session and at a special meeting designated for the funding decision.

The meeting did not record a formal assembly vote on the district request at this session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kodiak Island Borough Livestream","oneSentenceSummary","Cindy Micah, superintendent of the Kodiak Island Borough School District, asked the borough assembly to approve the district’s full FY26 funding request of $12,979,556.50 to avoid cuts as the district projects a roughly $10 million deficit.","taxTitle","Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska","taxId",13713,"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},6558561,"Assembly reviews general fund revenue projections, PILT, facilities fund, insurance and solid‑waste costs",3013,3088000,6101000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3241510-165a404a4c9c8f2e834c22ce6c8beb78&start=3088&end=6101","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3241510-165a404a4c9c8f2e834c22ce6c8beb78/thumbnail_3088000.jpg","/articles/6558561/Kodiak-Island-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-reviews-general-fund-revenue-projections-PILT-facilities-fund-insurance-and-solidwaste-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558561-c3445174aa6c30f1870625525e8b1710/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098725&Signature=YLEYb3h0MjtwL4wS~hx2h0VM25BbxudyFcVntGLZZsDQYFa1-SxKbwle~AE-VfNzkrdhp8VnZmvMXIpWc9pI8xsvtrrYIwCifn-GFwXejgz23m4nbXg0vBDGEL9SlCkW9UNEJjaI4uSUwB4B6ZpV8mxRuTrydKER2chpGMC6mlbhv8DzGTaxjMUYWGbhYcHAQqP9qbLg7Txo8q7bldzSesymVNqB6bCPH4XJsDzIQk9hVbYa4gB2mX6A1YbIuTL24WehthgmkLhKJu8-jmDQLjO3QnJb-PGHeiZYohbaasXILg9hl3CCK3Wl5cwmoXeZCRkZbGT4iw3KmcOBZGeYew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Borough finance and management staff led an extended review of the FY26 manager’s budget revenue assumptions and several special revenue and enterprise funds, including discussion of federal PILT and refuge payments, facilities fund balances, insurance cost uncertainty tied to a possible merger of insurers, and the landfill/solid‑waste budget.

Manager Amy and Finance Director Dora walked the assembly through line‑item revenues and assumptions. Key points included a manager’s estimate to draw $2,270,000 from property tax, $252,628 from personal property tax, and an expected $1,700,000 in federal PILT (payment in lieu of taxes). The packet listed an expected $180,000 in a National Wildlife Refuge shared revenue payment; staff explained that calculation is opaque and the payment typically posts in June.

On resource volatility, staff highlighted that fishery (sea product) severance tax receipts vary by season and that timber and mining receipts depend on specific shipments and market conditions. Staff said severance receipts are budgeted conservatively and that revenues historically concentrate in later quarters of the fiscal year.

Several assembly members raised federal PILT and refuge payment levels as a structural revenue concern for Kodiak, given large federal land area and a relatively low population base; the manager said she and the mayor have lobbied NACo and U.S. senators on PILT increases.

Facilities fund and capital reserves: staff noted the borough has used about $21.8 million from the facilities fund in recent years (roughly $3.2 million for insurance, $10.3 million for debt service and $8.3 million for capital projects) and explained current rules allow use of up to 85% of interest earnings with up to 50% eligible for debt service. The manager said changes to how much of renewal and replacement interest is applied to debt service could help balance the FY26 budget.

Insurance and risk: staff warned a proposed merger of two municipal insurance providers (AMLJIA and APEI) could materially increase property insurance premiums because the merged entity may require up‑to‑date property valuations and would change payout rules. Under one insurer’s current model, replacement payouts are limited to a capped percentage; under the other, full replacement can be paid if the insured value is accurate. Staff said those valuation updates could drive large premium increases and that the borough has invited insurers to evaluate properties locally, but those evaluations will not be completed before the FY26 budget must be adopted.

Debt and bond items: staff pointed to the school bond reimbursement estimate and a manager’s level‑2 budget reflecting possible reductions from the state (assembly packet showed a level‑2 projection of $3,186,000 for school bond reimbursement assuming 75% reimbursement rather than 100%). The bond worksheet in the packet showed several principal and interest payments and noted payoffs that may reduce future bond payments in FY27.

Enterprise funds: staff reviewed the long‑term care center lease and contingencies and then detailed the landfill and leachate treatment plant budgets. The solid‑waste budget anticipates revenues from Alaska Waste, the Coast Guard and metal sales, but also expects to use roughly $144,592 in fund balance to balance FY26. Staff discussed capital needs including potential dump truck replacements (two trucks from 2008 and 2010), baler maintenance, critical spares and an extended‑reach forklift option. Assembly members questioned whether to pre‑fund equipment replacement and staff explained depreciation and fund balance mechanics for enterprise funds.

Staff also previewed the third quarter budget amendment, the FY26 budget introduction and tax roll certification timing. The manager said several items in the manager’s budget will change before final adoption as assembly direction and outstanding valuations/insurance updates are received.

No formal votes occurred during the work session; the assembly will take up budget adoption, mill rate setting and tax roll certification at upcoming meetings with public hearings scheduled before statutorily required adoption dates.","Borough staff and the assembly reviewed proposed FY26 revenues and several funds, discussed federal PILT and refuge payments, potential changes to insurance after a proposed insurer merger, high facility fund withdrawals to date, and detailed budgets for the landfill and solid‑waste enterprise funds.",{"_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},6558564,"Building inspector: Single Hill buildings may be salvageable but need structural review and costly repairs",535,2525000,3060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3241510-165a404a4c9c8f2e834c22ce6c8beb78&start=2525&end=3060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3241510-165a404a4c9c8f2e834c22ce6c8beb78/thumbnail_2525000.jpg","/articles/6558564/Kodiak-Island-Borough/Alaska/Building-inspector-Single-Hill-buildings-may-be-salvageable-but-need-structural-review-and-costly-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558564-b163b91bbaa8eecd92f5216010b7ff5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098725&Signature=E2Ef79If0qhGJfXaIaoOPuKU3YNfpovBmhfaw5Tz2XryZLu3-mYUSmc2atiTpDMKn50xFwFrx9aTX123RYI0Jx0aD1o6KBedJjmsLUzPzbi748CEfRgkB8DngNN7cu23eCVzxw78FmcDWiwYxnwOcdEkVi22ifnA3pbnryx~ZEVV2Q3bk10vWvQVH87cyMBM7igzwmBV5NLBPRlDRHGWK8xwl7yGPLWHXNqn5px8pEUdg9pbHzXXLtK5k6cf7gekF2N~qWzsSOli8wurfyHyo5G9bXtHMI0LK30SBaX1JMtz8BIyZtq-CugBwTTjGDokn8kwWMrQHFAkg8nRvsy50Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ted Hansen, Kodiak Island Borough building inspector, briefed the assembly on a site inspection of the abatement and demolition project at Single Hill and recommended an engineered structural review before deciding whether to renovate or demolish the buildings.

Hansen said the affected buildings were built in the late 1960s and are balloon‑framed with 2x4 construction. On initial walk‑throughs he found overloaded second‑floor joists and numerous notches and cuts in framing members. “The buildings are out of 2 by 4 construction…there's a lot of framing that has been notched out, cut out, that would have to be replaced if you wanted to do something with the building,” Hansen said.

Hansen noted the buildings’ narrow‑long aspect ratio gives them poor lateral shear resistance in a seismic or high‑wind event and that they lack interior shear walls. He said the foundations generally appear sound — crews could not break apart a recent mechanical foundation without a jackhammer — but that the north building has localized rot and mold in a west wall where a unit was unoccupied. The south building “actually looks pretty good” but still requires extensive work if reused.

Hansen commented on options for preserving the structures: converting the insulation strategy to an exterior (remote) wall insulation system to avoid reducing interior dimensions; adding structural sheathing (or engineered shear walls); and modifying stairways and headroom to meet current code. He also said a change in occupancy back to residential would require sprinklering the buildings because they would exceed state fire‑marshal thresholds for unit counts.

When asked for a recommendation, Hansen said he could not responsibly recommend renovation or demolition without an engineer’s review and a cost estimate. He warned that renovation in many cases is more expensive than new construction. Assembly members raised questions about construction costs; Hansen said borough permit valuation figures (used for permit fee calculations) assume about $238 per square foot for new residential valuation, but actual construction costs can be higher.

Hansen’s final assessment left the borough with choices: commission a structural engineer and detailed cost estimate to determine feasibility of reuse, or proceed toward demolition and reuse of the site.

No formal decision was taken at this work session; the inspector’s report was presented for the assembly’s consideration.","Kodiak building inspector Ted Hansen reported on an April 16 site walkthrough of the Single Hill abatement and demolition project, saying the two former residential buildings contain overloaded joists, notched framing and moisture damage; he recommended a structural engineer’s analysis and said renovation will likely be costlier than new‑build.",{"_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},6558568,"New regional emergency manager outlines outreach, alert system work for Kodiak region",449,991000,1440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3241510-165a404a4c9c8f2e834c22ce6c8beb78&start=991&end=1440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3241510-165a404a4c9c8f2e834c22ce6c8beb78/thumbnail_991000.jpg","/articles/6558568/Kodiak-Island-Borough/Alaska/New-regional-emergency-manager-outlines-outreach-alert-system-work-for-Kodiak-region","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558568-70b3403962d42636d19b23771558effe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098725&Signature=MAhAybhz4VplyYeOLD8Sblr1pjHfop1wiDkffE-mmYGGBy99X9EwEht~ayq06id1rqokHMqczBUrvHOfH6faN4KGalBppjmjNA-OxsulhmQm4lvXbh5sIJNgL4ei7WMfHO3zYF50T-y0fffNTDsQfVGwVmFwNDyNAHzhy-kTB67NFz1QA5rhb7Y4W1qBv8jwYjFSlpVh2RmTEyvNOADuopNT5nXdGNj4jvwOfUaDyEi2VhofCpyVM-s-I2pvxD8LAijCDKxN-FzUN5NcsgOXk-dczb30HplFCCmyUftS5d3jSfw0miWiH85VVfOVM57uefbiIm-tfFTgNn16w6r6qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rich Gonzales formally introduced himself to the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly and described activities since starting the jointly funded Kodiak regional emergency management manager position on January 2, 2025.

“...I started on January 2, and been busy ever since hitting the ground running, trying to get some of the committees back up,” Gonzales said, listing regular situation reports and outreach to village public safety operations officers (VPSOs). He told the assembly he has attended state and federal emergency management conferences to build contacts and that state officials were “very happy and excited to see that this is a position now in Kodiak.”

Gonzales said he has been meeting with local broadcasters KMXT and KVOK and the Kodiak Daily Mirror to improve local emergency communications. He also said the borough recently submitted its IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert & Warning System) community plan to enable the borough to issue emergency alerts directly; he described work with KVOK on the community plan prior to sending it to the state.

Assembly members raised village‑level communication gaps observed during COVID and asked whether Gonzales had met rural villages in person. He said he had reached out by email and attended a rural forum where he was introduced, and that he was planning in‑person outreach to villages when travel opportunities arose.

On coordination with federal responders, Gonzales said he is working with U.S. Coast Guard emergency‑management personnel and the Coast Guard fire department on planning and communications. He also described training coordination with TEEX (the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service) and VPSO participation in a prior summer training session and said TEEX is scheduled to return this summer.

Gonzales’s remarks closed with commitments to continue expanding communications channels and to follow up on village siren repairs identified by assembly members.","The Kodiak Island Borough formally introduced Rich Gonzales as the region’s emergency management manager. Gonzales described outreach to village public safety officers, work on the hazard mitigation plan and steps to expand local alerting via IPAWS, and said he has been coordinating with local media and the Coast Guard.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kodiak school superintendent asks borough to approve $12.98 million request as district faces multi‑million deficit

Assembly reviews general fund revenue projections, PILT, facilities fund, insurance and solid‑waste costs

Building inspector: Single Hill buildings may be salvageable but need structural review and costly repairs

New regional emergency manager outlines outreach, alert system work for Kodiak region