Finance committee hears status update on FY2026 appropriation ordinance; amendment on floor

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Finance Committee reviewed the procedural status of ordinance 20 25-19, the fiscal year 2026 appropriation ordinance, noting a motion to enact and an amendment remain on the floor from prior meetings.

Chair Tonseth told members that "the motion to enact ordinance 20 25 dash 19 is on the floor from the 05/2025 meeting, and the Johnson amendment is on the floor from the 06/3325 meeting. This amendment must be dealt with before any other amendments may be considered." No vote was taken at the June 17 meeting.

During general discussion, Assemblymember Johnson raised an off-agenda question about funds that might remain available under last year's cap, saying there was "$1,900,000 still, within the possibility of funding to last year's cap" and asked the assembly to discuss whether any portion of that amount could benefit the school district. Johnson asked staff and legal counsel to clarify whether it was permissible to allocate those funds at this point.

Assemblymember Kelly cautioned that the subject was not on the posted agenda as an action item and said an action or at least notice would be required before substantive discussion or vote: "I would caution against that because this isn't an action item before the body right now." The committee adjourned without resolving the question.

The committee recorded that the prior motion and amendment remain on the floor and that the Johnson amendment must be resolved before additional amendments can be considered; staff and legal counsel were asked to advise on whether last year's cap funds can be reallocated at this stage.