[{"_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",6538023,"mediaKeyId","3407541-a1c5affaaa41b3c18bf423120319e17b","parentId",3407541,"title","Assembly ratifies $55,000 change order for Lower Dudley Field realignment; members question recurring overages","audioSeconds",151,"startMs",4296000,"endMs",4447000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3407541-a1c5affaaa41b3c18bf423120319e17b&start=4296&end=4447","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3407541-a1c5affaaa41b3c18bf423120319e17b/thumbnail_4296000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6538023/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-ratifies-55000-change-order-for-Lower-Dudley-Field-realignment-members-question-recurring-overages","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6538023-d41f3aab285299ee0dbbfdaa06337108/orig.mp4?Expires=1770760222&Signature=lmUPqPeU~pstRZM2e4xjvHhIjXi1PisFfk-oBoYu~CzTmBJC-rF9xyhew4roZJdtucjvIwQZkyDd-vsh88TE2DAzOabcx-HWBMFGwk07jislTgac~ZHRMHg82X4WfFT1h1RDYkzY4uPXDwG-ijfEMpRYLVbAjo-RH4rvYyKpS3B90piSTWINNJ8htAMncE14UcSPwpu59YwQu0Bf9uLckYxbLcFixfAtZQbQnBqjVigTfioTn997bGeIUPI88NM3Wm6DBasHXcHic4IzIPLGAwcVgAF5ILXyCTjEHsyf0HQTO7mDioLhig0hzXYP1U2QKicPf1SuZQNIDrTT5hnB1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ketchikan Gateway Borough","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","The assembly ratified a $55,000 change order to the Lower Dudley Field realignment project and set the total contract value at $794,620. Public Works staff explained the increase was driven primarily by larger-than-anticipated quantities of sand for regrading and by contaminated reuse material that required replacement rather than on-site processing.

Public Works Director told the assembly the project originally planned to reuse screened sand from an earlier site, but contamination and the added cost of rescreening made the contractor's supplied sand both quicker and less expensive. The assembly accepted the change order, but several members — citing a string of projects that exceeded original estimates — urged staff to tighten scope definition and cost contingencies for future capital work.

Assembly Member Bailey called repeated change orders \"a concern,\" noting the borough has had several projects with cost increases and urging better upfront specifications and contingency planning before projects are bid. Staff said some projects require in-construction adaptations and that remaining bond funds and project-level contingencies will cover the current overrun.

The assembly ratified the change order on a recorded vote; staff will update budget summaries and capital project reports to reflect the revised contract totals.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ketchikan Gateway Borough - Assembly - Regular - May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The assembly ratified a $55,000 contract change order for the Lower Dudley Field realignment project and discussed repeated change-order increases on capital projects.","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},6538027,"Assembly extends borough manager's contract two years and approves salary adjustment after amendment",910,7493000,8403000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3407541-a1c5affaaa41b3c18bf423120319e17b&start=7493&end=8403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3407541-a1c5affaaa41b3c18bf423120319e17b/thumbnail_7493000.jpg","/articles/6538027/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-extends-borough-managers-contract-two-years-and-approves-salary-adjustment-after-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6538027-156c4cefa3748db021ae063096afe1dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770760222&Signature=e~FYoUUag1UFVO3g4h1Kp0eMHT1AHtgOnNJ4Re2KYCCnZjK4~HXCw63G5GnTyOBwmK8THecoHh2i8LfcD1EPPeL3cdEyiJus--a5CsKiNrUsdvSgqr23rXMd41BP8GMvQaLu6ZtYj8Z32AzY~ZNZcJUd-w990tVVHm7WfxDQkAS3EwvseujF5kj39bhuvV1NRNVjvW7dSSyN1em2CT77Un7QGujIjqmteKUVxZbjlFwEiDyeqHemd5G2WVTNo8A6scZpWehJtlGTg8N3~N6QoMrqMqGPorievxFkOmAl0Mb1kxiBitj5HocMEae50zmQCPzQ~-1GqhTv1s3v0EixwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly on May 19 approved an extension of Borough Manager Reuben Durand's employment agreement and adjusted his compensation after a motion and subsequent amendment.

Durand requested an extension through June 30, 2027 citing project continuity, including airport and major capital initiatives that are moving into multi-year phases. During the meeting the manager reiterated his view that additional time would preserve momentum on projects and cited staff continuity as a reason to retain management continuity.

The assembly debated both the term and the compensation level. The original proposed contract in the meeting materials set the manager's salary at $192,973 with standard benefits. Assembly members raised concerns about setting compensation levels for senior executives without a clearer policy on pay ranges and caps. Assembly Member Thompson moved an amendment that modified the salary figure to $189,000; the amendment passed and the main motion as amended subsequently passed on a 4-3 roll-call vote.

Final roll call on the motion as amended showed the following votes: Bailey, Matson, Bowling and Otis voted yes; Palmer, Thompson and Arntzen voted no. Following the amendment, the manager will receive the amended salary and remain under a contract extended through June 30, 2027, subject to the terms recorded in the employment agreement. During debate several assembly members expressed appreciation for the manager's management of staff and capital projects but said they wanted clearer future policies on executive pay and improved fiscal discipline for capital projects and change orders.

The manager and assembly agreed staff will continue to provide detailed financial briefings to the assembly on major capital projects and change-order exposure, and members requested that executive compensation policy be revisited so future raises align with a documented framework for top-level positions.","The assembly voted 4-3 to extend Borough Manager Reuben Durand\u000for an additional two-year term and approved a negotiated salary adjustment after members amended the proposed pay figure; the action followed debate over administrative continuity and fiscal scrutiny.",{"_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},6538031,"Public comments and assembly debate spotlight library funding, governance and accountability",1428,1529000,2957000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3407541-a1c5affaaa41b3c18bf423120319e17b&start=1529&end=2957","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3407541-a1c5affaaa41b3c18bf423120319e17b/thumbnail_1529000.jpg","/articles/6538031/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Public-comments-and-assembly-debate-spotlight-library-funding-governance-and-accountability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6538031-7c73b178b378bc2a244744a41faaa9c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770760222&Signature=IEQPNf4LupCNIL-kvZfOesztCW11nvJ2VQVGfdjxKrCzFwsk2fsM64m8iMw8Bf9hgZc-kw2erdA1JGcxOCTAAj1LE5DEosBNhVOOBEUp2oq-KozXI3ehZbcgOJvHuN9CPY7COrbCVzlxeocUApxv62gcdtN8kmUP3XBLB8lu277~Ezgl46TF7RfNWzVMyEyxh7r7BSZm8WZKW6qDJa0iAEXwvfBO~xXtnLusxeDgdyvWLPdOIhWRFm0Vzi3I9xYZy9CoklwywUOT2plorvvIFzkFevAjon8w8vkaYFyIrEDKWSWnYZvrVFsUFM9ISFq1E6cuBuMAXUNVxOnTFvzuTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly heard extended public comment on May 19 about the borough\fontribution to the Ketchikan Public Library and the structure of the non area-wide library mill levy.

Multiple residents and library stakeholders addressed the assembly during the public-comment period, expressing strongly divergent views about whether borough residents receive adequate oversight for money collected through the non area-wide tax that is sent to the City of Ketchikan under a memorandum of agreement. Deborah Simon, a long-time advisory-board member and borough resident, told the assembly: \"Either give me a direct elected avenue to library policy and operations or stop giving them my money.\" Simon urged either a governance change or an end to the borough\fontribution.

Pat Tully, director of the Ketchikan Public Library, presented data in person and in the packet showing that roughly 40% of the borough population lives outside the two cities and that 38% of active library account holders identify as borough residents outside the cities; those cardholders, Tully said, account for 45% of the library's checkouts. \"The use of the library by borough residents outside the cities of Ketchikan and Saxman is actually significantly greater than the percentage of the borough's contribution to the library's budget,\" Tully said.

Other public speakers emphasized access and social services the library provides. Jennifer Simpson, a librarian at Hountling Elementary, said: \"I don't think access should be determined by your income,\" and described the library's role in providing internet access, digital resources and summer reading supports that teachers rely on. Brett Hyatt, a resident, said the library \"is a vital islandwide resource serving all residents\" and warned that cutting the dedicated levy could reduce services used by homebound seniors and others.

Assembly members questioned staff about the funding formula, account numbers, and how student and household accounts are counted. Assembly Member Thompson noted voters outside city limits had voted in 2022 to retain the levy and observed that the ballot outcome is part of the public record.

Assembly Member Hartson (Aronson in the transcript) moved an amendment to reduce the non area-wide library levy to zero for 2026 and to submit notice to the City of Ketchikan terminating the MOU by June 30, 2025; the motion failed for lack of a second. Borough staff and several assembly members said the financial details and historical context require further review and dialogue with the city. Several residents urged better transparency and additional reporting on usage by geography; library staff said some data are limited by privacy protections in library systems but pledged to explore options.

The public-comment session included more than a dozen speakers on the topic and the assembly did not make a final change to the levy at the May 19 meeting. Staff advised the assembly the final mill-levy resolution will be considered as part of the tax-setting process and a separate budget action; assembly members requested additional information and follow-up meetings with staff and the city.

The library debate was the meeting's longest public-comment segment and reflected long-standing questions in the borough about how shared services should be funded and governed.","Dozens of residents urged the assembly to retain or reconsider the non area-wide library mill levy; speakers gave mixed views on accountability, access and representation as the assembly discussed but did not change the levy.",{"_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},6538036,"Assembly adopts FY2026 school funding and passes borough budget",27,5169000,5196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3407541-a1c5affaaa41b3c18bf423120319e17b&start=5169&end=5196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3407541-a1c5affaaa41b3c18bf423120319e17b/thumbnail_5169000.jpg","/articles/6538036/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-adopts-FY2026-school-funding-and-passes-borough-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6538036-17320159a1bfb62cd45f2bc9529c3fea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770760222&Signature=eV-vNHE-74yucswZ2ekw3k6g9gK5M0IHLpxnh8pIl0DvMUJs5Fx0AmCi4b5RpE3WxZt2hPm5RWQGBrzdQcvOOL2wW0HWVRJ~zhB8pVy45au~qTqJEn4KF3keDG4zKT6BHJGc5GQapFhC0Uw1K~6w41jn4OBLDlaKZXKTqq16j1~S-By1vEf4XZkWXspTyc8qoumW6ArPLffZtfswc5dZ5XOCvWJkozv0yuFiZMemqt506AxP1nF6VS-z1vzfcpguRL7HvcoEDw5Brqu8sFccaXm~1arYHLV3M2BE9ecHd73XVMsXVKarVpD1htE3Tf92pCWB4-rOdiDvKFCJEdOlXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly on May 19 adopted an ordinance setting the borough's FY2026 local contribution to the Ketchikan school district and passed the borough's FY2026 budget.

The assembly approved Ordinance 2066 (substitute), setting the borough contribution subject to statutory caps at $11,694,754 and authorizing a total school spending authority of $37,941,678. Assistant Borough Manager Cinda Smith said the ordinance was updated to use the latest student count figures and clarified that the initial spending authority did not include grants or special revenue, which the district may still use once final numbers are confirmed. \"This ordinance is built on the facts that we know and have in hand,\" Smith said during the staff presentation.

Separately, the assembly considered the borough-wide appropriations. After a public hearing and staff presentations the assembly adopted Ordinance 2070, the FY2026 borough budget (motion to adopt introduced and passed during the meeting). The votes on both ordinance actions were recorded by roll call and passed with unanimous support from members present.

The ordinances reflect a set of technical updates tied to the school district's enrollment figures and the borough's revenue assumptions. Smith and other staff told the assembly they had used the district's most recent pupil-count and state guidance when calculating required local contributions and the maximum allowable local contribution before hitting statutory caps. Smith noted uncertainty remained around several state-level revenue items — notably the status of HB 57 and federal Secure Rural Schools funding — and said those items could affect state and federal revenue flows to the borough and school district in coming weeks.

Assembly members asked for additional detail about specific line items in the budget and were invited by staff to review the full budget book and meet with finance staff as needed before June 2, when additional hearings and approvals will continue for some budget-related items.

The assembly's action keeps the borough and school district operating under a spending plan tied to recognized revenue assumptions while preserving flexibility to incorporate grant and special revenue amounts once final federal and state actions are known.

The meeting record showed the motion to adopt Ordinance 2066 (substitute) carried on roll call with seven affirmative votes. The budget ordinance (2070) likewise carried on a roll call vote at the meeting.","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly approved the local contribution to the school district for FY2026 and adopted the borough's FY2026 budget after votes on ordinances that set spending authority and funding levels.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly ratifies $55,000 change order for Lower Dudley Field realignment; members question recurring overages

Assembly extends borough manager's contract two years and approves salary adjustment after amendment

Public comments and assembly debate spotlight library funding, governance and accountability

Assembly adopts FY2026 school funding and passes borough budget