[{"_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",6515291,"mediaKeyId","4788095-121b694c9dc61b216b0c7eed4660d90e","parentId",4788095,"title","Votes at a glance: clerk raises, Rollins Way withdrawal, CES septic funding, appointments and consent items","audioSeconds",1514,"startMs",774000,"endMs",2288000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4788095-121b694c9dc61b216b0c7eed4660d90e&start=774&end=2288","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4788095-121b694c9dc61b216b0c7eed4660d90e/thumbnail_774000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6515291/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Votes-at-a-glance-clerk-raises-Rollins-Way-withdrawal-CES-septic-funding-appointments-and-consent-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515291-32091acc05ab3e6cd4a817d507d3afa6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198309&Signature=mRjTY-WzFm7sDs7Y-9mobFCFRQRLEl10Em8g2U4A5MsOgrimzTuWkYNCM5B5W8oGwsKfIV28TDBlOn9sWVHpR1OblFcaqMA8uEjsx92awti0MQ9cPBnco~SgkLYexgNIbq4YXICRvppncoyjuWd0mHXBE867dPOHwm0eMpuZFzjTduXDT70KaYfbbsfI3uAbVHKor4bku6sCQ6Ex73ZIIRv4WVbTnzQqNFNjvChlGI9sVbxkApyuMHtAq850OuNstFxCw6ycRjUEtHdf-JNHG0Zul~0nl3Uo3cfwusGx8TNnypaUqwD6ocJHau22JpyIkeCKzVY8ov~B2MkKpQf7QA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kenai Peninsula Borough","date","2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","article","Beyond the FY2026 appropriation and the land-sale ordinance, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly took several procedural and consent actions on June 17. Most were approved by unanimous consent or on the consent agenda and will be reflected in the borough’s published minutes and ordinance/resolution texts.

Key outcomes
- Clerk and deputy clerk salary increase: the assembly approved a 3.5% salary increase for the clerk and a 3.5% increase for the deputy clerk and records manager, effective July 1, 2025, by unanimous consent.
- Withdrawal of Ordinance 20 24-19-38 (Rollins Way Road Improvement Assessment District additional appropriation of $150,000): the finance committee chair moved to withdraw the ordinance; assembly removed the item by unanimous consent.
- Addition of Ordinance 20 24-19-39 (Central Emergency Service Area capital project fund appropriation of $76,500 to replace septic/wastewater system at Station 4) to the consent agenda: added and approved by unanimous consent; scheduled on consent for enactment/processing.
- Consent agenda approval: the clerk read the consent items, which included a commending resolution for the Kenai Central Cardinals girls soccer team, a commending resolution for Serenity House Treatment Center (25th anniversary), Ordinance 20 25-10 (parcel sales), Ordinance 20 25-13 (community assistance funding of $30,958.82), Ordinance 20 25-19-01 (Sterling Elementary and Nicolaus School property operations estimate for FY2026), Resolution 20 25-027 (title correction for a parcel) and Resolution 20 25-028 (cooperative emergency agreement), and KPB7007 confirming an appointment to the Funny River Advisory Planning Commission (Kathy Mata, term to 09/30/2027). The assembled consent agenda passed by unanimous consent.
- Resolution and appointment confirmations: items on the consent agenda (resolutions and the Funny River APC appointment) were included and will be processed as listed.

Why it matters: these consent and procedural votes finalize routine items of borough business: personnel adjustments, capital maintenance for emergency facilities, property and title housekeeping, grant pass-throughs and advisory-commission appointments. The Rollins Way withdrawal reflects the sponsor’s and district residents’ decision not to proceed with an extra assessment request after bids came in above estimates.

Sources and evidence: actions and unanimous-consent calls were recorded on the June 17 meeting transcript and read into the record by the clerk.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kenai Peninsula Borough - Assembly on 2025-06-17 6:00 PM - Meeting ID: 835 6358 3837 Passcode: 606672 - Jun 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its June 17 meeting the assembly approved several consent and housekeeping items, withdrew the Rollins Way assessment request, added a septic funding ordinance to consent, and confirmed an appointment to an advisory planning commission.","taxTitle","Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska","taxId",27490,"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},6515296,"Sen. Bjorkman briefs assembly: state vetoes cut school funding, other legislation targets insurance and education reforms",606,2958000,3564000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4788095-121b694c9dc61b216b0c7eed4660d90e&start=2958&end=3564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4788095-121b694c9dc61b216b0c7eed4660d90e/thumbnail_2958000.jpg","/articles/6515296/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Sen-Bjorkman-briefs-assembly-state-vetoes-cut-school-funding-other-legislation-targets-insurance-and-education-reforms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515296-5326c06f7a76dad2a7dc44766a20fa8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198310&Signature=lZmcpNMCJuaqI0lLwz6gh-6PEQFctnzEqL4g5PnjCZ2yk1j7j5SIwW8FMaj2Xw8fRj48Z5zl2ci0UAF3RSqiuSfaDVr3n8h3IAML2Gj0NstuGI~TCr2BZaq1nJ0NbmtkD73zT4tECeSr2eZfZvYgvk7FEPXQppFp0UvUEzIHdq7vbBOpFPoPBEb85zaoRHT9LW7zaOi8TCR4Llc3qfhc2Tgis~0cV4R~aRUGAmpsEc6C5OPxnXlipY3fQZ84K3kr33QNtvXV~OxGCWIq9MiU1R9ovvuvqxIDoXjM6k4zVFcHOK2OSprjjxH-m89H-6G2lg5lKKTwW6t6q-IdcrbGcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Jesse Bjorkman delivered a legislative update to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on June 17, briefing members on the state budget, vetoes and several bills affecting education funding, insurance reform and fisheries.

Bjorkman told the assembly that, after vetoes, statewide school funding declined and that the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District faces a roughly $3 million reduction tied to the vetoes; when combined with other impacts related to a federal disparity test the district faces an estimated $8.3 million reduction in state support from last year to this year if they do not pursue appeals.

He described several policy measures included in the session’s bills: reading grants tied to improved early literacy, $10 million directed to career and technical education, insurance omnibus bills intended to make claims denials harder and to tighten prior-authorization timelines for care, and a bill to give set-netters on the east side of Cook Inlet a separate administrative area to address local fishing management concerns (Senate Bill 158). He said those reforms are intended to protect access to care and reduce costs for local projects where appropriate.

Bjorkman also discussed the state’s fiscal picture: after vetoes and adjustments, state spending has declined compared with 10 years earlier when adjusted for inflation. He said the legislature’s ability to convene for any special session is constrained by the temporary absence of some members, and he expected veto-override activity might occur later in the year when more members are available.

Why it matters: several assembly members cited Bjorkman’s information during fiscal debate; his estimate that the state reductions contributed to the district’s shortfall was central to the local decision-making about whether to increase borough contributions for FY2026.

Selected quotes
- “After vetoes ... overall funding from the state to local school districts across the state is reduced by 5.3%,” Senator Jesse Bjorkman said, and later described combined potential reductions to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District at about $8.3 million if certain federal issues are not addressed.
- On insurance and prior authorization, Bjorkman said reforms would require answers for emergency care within 24 hours and non-emergency prior authorization within 72 hours to avoid delays.

Follow-up: Bjorkman recommended that local leaders continue pressure on the legislature to address school funding and told the assembly he remains reachable by phone and email to discuss these matters.","Senator Jesse Bjorkman gave the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly a Juneau update, saying the legislature’s vetoes reduced state funding for local schools and outlining several bills affecting insurance, health-care authorizations and fisheries management.",{"_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},6515301,"Assembly approves sale of 30 borough parcels after amendment to legal description; Homer commenter urges conservation for ‘Kachemak sponge’ project",9092,589000,9681000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4788095-121b694c9dc61b216b0c7eed4660d90e&start=589&end=9681","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4788095-121b694c9dc61b216b0c7eed4660d90e/thumbnail_589000.jpg","/articles/6515301/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-approves-sale-of-30-borough-parcels-after-amendment-to-legal-description-Homer-commenter-urges-conservation-for-Kachemak-sponge-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515301-85ab4188b838b3a1e2d2644be34b1a65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198310&Signature=dwFT4~B1VDnB5WDSwej9MuBgUSePMaAjnQhHWZ0MKUPKtf2nrKVDd-w2UaFVBY5zciUoURurY0zoKWBpOWlsCPMD2ENx2CedXW9jxAj1Ad0g7eQypdkzplJAjrlPXBFT87DTi6icjEKvTd-TU54U0FuZ4vf3KNhJQwqsS9WwJ3YzBJ~WEAPvKOkFm6EBuJ3w1z8I2yFA1E6AIsIme~ObDr5MJxuPZt11iu2R2Q0lFHnOSSRkWPqnFWfHOdO3JPsu4W689lqKRWLcYbMGUO9-LIHqOhaH~82QjaKEQ5Y7zedA7s1wsiqQIiRLl8pyXn0FtRMGxUiKdDDawof9zL7cjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on June 17 enacted Ordinance 20 25-10 to authorize the sale of 30 borough-owned parcels via a live public outcry simulcast online auction (with a secondary online-only auction), scheduled for Aug. 9.

The ordinance passed after a public comment from Jan Keiser of Homer, who asked the borough to preserve parcels near the Homer Boatyard for a nature-based stormwater project the community has pursued for years and described as the “Kachemak sponge.” Keiser said conserving certain wet parcels would help manage stormwater and capture sediment naturally and urged that the borough set aside five parcels for conservation even if two near Kachemak Drive are sold.

Assembly member Eklund moved to enact the ordinance following the grants committee report; the assembly adopted a staff-proposed technical amendment that changed the acreage and legal description for parcel PIN 11915007 (amended acreage from 3.84 to 3.45 acres and updated the legal description) by unanimous consent. After that amendment the assembly enacted the ordinance with no recorded objections.

Why it matters: the sales include five parcels proposed for the borough’s land-affordability program and proceeded after planning-commission review. Local residents and organizations involved in the Kachemak sponge effort told the assembly the project could reduce flooding and treat stormwater if key parcels are kept for conservation.

Formal actions and outcome
- Motion to enact Ordinance 20 25-10 (sale of borough parcels): Mover: Assembly member Eklund. Outcome: enacted (vote by unanimous consent after amendment).
- Amendment to legal description of parcel PIN 11915007 (change acreage and add detailed legal description): adopted by unanimous consent; amendment language as read into the record.

Discussion and follow-up
- Assembly member Dunn said he had received requests from Homer residents and organizations asking that two parcels (PINs 17908010 and 17908011) be removed from sale to protect the Kachemak sponge concept. He said administration staff assured the assembly they were negotiating to transfer five other wetter parcels to the city or otherwise set them aside to enable the green infrastructure project.
- Jan Keiser encouraged the assembly to work with Homer and local nonprofits to prioritize conservation in the area; she said she was “gratified that they are continuing” to negotiate transfers.

Provenance and next steps
- The grants committee discussed the parcel sale at its meeting and reported to the assembly; the full set of sale parcels was reviewed by the borough planning commission on June 9 and sent to advisory planning commissions for comment.
- The auction is scheduled for August 9; the administration will continue negotiations with the City of Homer and local stakeholders on possible transfers or conservation measures for key parcels.

Evidence: public comment from Jan Keiser and assembly committee report recorded in the June 17, 2025 assembly transcript.","The assembly enacted an ordinance authorizing the sale of 30 borough-owned parcels by live public outcry and online auction on Aug. 9. A Homer resident urged the borough to preserve adjacent parcels for a nature-based stormwater project; the assembly adopted a technical amendment to one parcel’s legal description and enacted the ordinance.",{"_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},6515305,"Kenai Peninsula Borough boosts school funding after heated public hearing, approves FY2026 budget 8–1",8597,373000,8970000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4788095-121b694c9dc61b216b0c7eed4660d90e&start=373&end=8970","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4788095-121b694c9dc61b216b0c7eed4660d90e/thumbnail_373000.jpg","/articles/6515305/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough-boosts-school-funding-after-heated-public-hearing-approves-FY2026-budget-81","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515305-638f45de018f8d996abbbb7d67c7cfe6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198310&Signature=XH3dHhxXQWWyIv2Sc0AmPIdFV0kD~KtcOZGwscbHaxv6yoS2dvyHPXjnl6m5k9ZkFAfbeAu3abWA7JkXaSc1fjgA4lPaIz8VsYc-3g68bGK6jkHKw0amhLzSO1-JrQYphYvdlAK4iB~aqX2koJHV7YQa~oe-iXaZj0HwtDpTj2iAKP118PMecxLPtlG8SkvtlZfKrK5WeuazIJUcMO2wJOuXnJgmwYNQN06L0x2xlVyAu3MZBe7MXMwdCgwm2Xx9BwHFlQkRKvmZe79bujgbksywYcGLchfW2OckejTunuR2DHSvFnpWWUZezMAjmTWyxKLWcr61BfIiJ2UGY0HhnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on June 17 approved its fiscal year 2026 general-fund appropriation ordinance after adopting an amendment that increases the borough’s local contribution to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.

The amendment, moved by Assembly member Johnson and adopted by an 8–1 vote, raised the local contribution line in the ordinance; the assembly then approved the amended ordinance 8–1. Assembly member Tunceth cast the lone no vote.

The vote came after more than an hour of debate among assembly members, a legal presentation about meeting rules and deadlines, and a public hearing in which parents, students, teachers and retired educators urged increased local support for schools.

Assembly member Johnson argued the additional funding was needed to retain teachers and sustain programs. Mayor Michicky cautioned that funding at the higher level is “unsustainable” if repeated every year and warned it would significantly affect borough finances; he said members should understand “what that means to the people of the Kenai Peninsula Borough.” Director Harbaugh told the assembly the amended budget would use a larger share of the borough’s fund balance and that boroughwide education funding would rise substantially with the amendment.

Public commenters at the hearing were sharply divided. Joan Core Kalafonski, a retired educator, said she “does not want to fund to the cap” and urged scrutiny on curriculum and administrative spending. In contrast, high-school student Kate Cox and retired teacher Trina Richardson urged the assembly to increase local funding so their schools could keep AP, language and extracurricular offerings.

Why it matters: the state legislature’s recent budget vetoes reduced anticipated state education funding, prompting local debate over whether the borough should make up the difference. Assembly members noted the borough has finite reserves and that adding recurring local dollars now would raise long-term tax exposure; supporters said immediate local action would prevent near-term program and staff losses.

Key debate points and process
- Timing and legal process: assembly members and legal counsel discussed rules about laydown items and required waiting periods between introduction and public hearing, with counsel quoting the borough’s code on the 13‑day requirement for setting a public hearing. Several members proposed scheduling a special meeting later in June if necessary; counsel said the assembly would first need to decide whether to schedule a special meeting to comply with notice rules.
- Fund balance and sustainability: Director Harbaugh said the originally proposed budget was balanced and added to fund balance; the amendment increases boroughwide spending and will draw on fund balance. Harbaugh said the amendment will cause the borough to spend approximately $4 million of fund balance in FY2026 and that the boroughwide general-fund mil rate would change by roughly 0.42 mills because of the addition.
- State funding uncertainty: Senator Bjorkman (present earlier on the agenda) and multiple assembly members said the state’s vetoes reduced the district’s expected aid and that an override or special session remains uncertain; several members said waiting for a state solution could take months.

Formal actions and outcome
- Johnson amendment to Ordinance 20 25-19 (details as read into the record by the clerk): the assembly amended figures in Section 2 and Section 3 to increase the borough’s local contribution to schools. Mover: Assembly member Johnson. Vote: 8 yes, 1 no (Tunceth). Outcome: adopted.
- Enactment of Ordinance 20 25-19, appropriating funds for fiscal year 2026 (as amended): Motion to enact carried 8–1 (no: Tunceth). Outcome: ordinance enacted.

What the ordinance does (as discussed in the meeting)
- The ordinance appropriates the borough’s general-fund spending plan for FY2026. The base ordinance amount presented at committee was approximately $103.8 million for the general fund; the Johnson amendment raised the local contribution lines in Sections 2 and 3 (figures were read into the record by the clerk during the meeting).
- Assembly members and staff repeatedly emphasized that school staffing and program choices remain under the school district’s authority and that increased local funding does not guarantee specific program restorations; several members pressed the administration and school board to be transparent about how additional local funds would be allocated.

Voices from the hearing (selected)
- “I do not want to fund to the cap,” said Joan Core Kalafonski, who identified herself as a retired educator.
- “The school district is strapped for money beyond belief,” said Assembly member Johnson in debate explaining his motion to increase local funding.
- “This year is over. So they did not make a request for these dollars directly to fund the next school year,” Mayor Michicky said earlier when answering whether the district had already requested supplemental funding.

Next steps and context
- The amended FY2026 appropriation is effective as adopted; Director Harbaugh noted that the increased contribution will substantially raise the share of the general-fund increase devoted to education for FY2026 and will reduce the borough’s fund balance in the short term. Several assembly members urged continued work with the school board to identify efficiencies and to press the state for durable solutions to education funding.

Sources and evidence: assembly debate and the public hearing recorded on the June 17, 2025 Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly transcript (see record segments of debate, legal counsel and public comment).","After public testimony and hours of debate about state vetoes and teacher retention, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly approved the fiscal year 2026 general-fund ordinance with an amendment adding local school funding. The amendment and the final ordinance passed 8–1; one member voted no.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: clerk raises, Rollins Way withdrawal, CES septic funding, appointments and consent items

Sen. Bjorkman briefs assembly: state vetoes cut school funding, other legislation targets insurance and education reforms

Assembly approves sale of 30 borough parcels after amendment to legal description; Homer commenter urges conservation for ‘Kachemak sponge’ project

Kenai Peninsula Borough boosts school funding after heated public hearing, approves FY2026 budget 8–1