South Peninsula Hospital service area moves $915,000 project ahead after $5 million generator grant

South Peninsula Hospital service area leaders told the Kenai Peninsula Borough assembly May 6 they plan to advance a $915,000 capital project into FY26 to coordinate deliverables with a recently awarded $5 million grant for a generator project.

Finance presenter Brandy Harbaugh said the borough and hospital teams "asked to move up a project for $915,000" so the hospital could coordinate elements that overlap with a $5,000,000 grant the hospital has just received. "We are asking that 915,000 be appropriated, introduction at this meeting and final hearing at the next," Harbaugh told the assembly.

Harbaugh also explained the South Peninsula service area presently has two funds (the split results from earlier boundary adjustments) and that most of the mill rate supports capital for the hospital; the FY26 proposed mill rate listed in the budget summary is 1.12 for the operating fund. Harbaugh noted the service area's last debt payment will come in 2032 and that staff plan to invest…