Assembly approves endorsements and supplemental appropriations for transit, EMS, 911 and emergency management; alcohol golf-course endorsement granted

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly on Jan. 23 approved a package of routine and supplemental items including a golf‑course alcohol endorsement and several budget amendments for transit and emergency services.

Key outcomes at a glance

- Consent agenda approved (8–0).

- Golf‑course alcohol endorsement (license 3376, The Greens Bar and Grill): assembly moved to file no protest. Motion by Ms. Haney, seconded by Mr. Krass; roll call passed 8–0. Borough administration reported property taxes paid, zoning consistent with use and recommended no protest. Staff said the endorsed area is the fenced golf course perimeter and the endorsement would authorize sale of beer and wine in the delineated outdoor serving area.

- Transit appropriation (Ordinance 2024‑21P): assembly appropriated $2,121,898 in federal grant funds and $15,034 in local match from the Transit Enterprise Operating Fund to support operating assistance and the purchase of a compressed natural gas (CNG) transit van. Staff said the funds are Federal Transit Administration operating grant dollars the department receives annually and the appropriation fills an item missed during budget planning. Motion to adopt by Mr. Kress, seconded by Mr. Rotterman; roll call 8–0.

- EMS supplemental appropriation (Ordinance 2024‑21Q): assembly appropriated $80,000 from the non‑area‑wide fund balance to Emergency Operations to meet contractual EMS service and billing obligations for FY25. Director Luke Butcher and staff said the non‑area‑wide fund has an available balance and the appropriation covers contracted EMS costs. Motion by Mr. Kress, seconded by Mr. Rotterman; roll call 8–0.

- 9‑1‑1 maintenance appropriation (Ordinance 2024‑21R): assembly appropriated $59,000 from the 9‑1‑1 fund balance to cover the remainder of FY25 9‑1‑1 system maintenance costs. Staff said the 9‑1‑1 fund is supported by telephone service charges; roll call 8–0.

- Emergency management grant (Ordinance 2024‑21S): assembly accepted a $49,000 federal pass‑through State Homeland Security Program grant to acquire emergency‑management equipment and training (including radio replacements to meet ALMR TDMA requirements and support for volunteer emergency response teams). Staff reported no local match is required. Motion by Ms. Haney, seconded by Mr. Rotterman; roll call 8–0.

Why it matters: The appropriations close gaps in operating and capital lines for transit and emergency services, pay contractual obligations, and put federally funded equipment and training into service for public‑safety operations.

Provenance and staff notes

- Administration recommended no protest on the golf course alcohol endorsement after reviewing taxes, zoning and an outdoor serving security plan; staff said the enclosed red‑line area in the packet represents the licensed perimeter.

- Transportation staff explained the transit appropriation reflects Federal Transit Administration formula funds that arrived after the FY25 budget was set and that a small local match is required for a CNG van purchase.

- Emergency Operations staff said the EMS and 9‑1‑1 appropriations move money from dedicated fund balances (non‑area‑wide and 9‑1‑1 funds) and that those funds have available balances to cover the requests. The emergency management grant targets radio upgrades (to meet the ALMR TDMA deadline) and training for volunteer CERT teams.

Ending: All of these items passed with unanimous assembly roll‑call votes. The assembly also adopted a separate resolution supporting a RAISE planning grant application for the Alaska Long Trail (7–1); that item is covered in a separate article.