Willow residents ask Matanuska-Susitna Borough for funds for parks, library upgrades and rec center; assembly continues budget hearing

WILLOW, Alaska — Residents of Willow and nearby Big Lake pressed the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly on April 24 for local budget help on several community projects during a public hearing on the boroughproposed fiscal 2026 budget, and the assembly agreed to continue the hearing to April 29 for further deliberations.

Speakers at Willow Community Hall urged the assembly to fund a long-planned Jordan Lake Park project, improve ADA access between a senior housing complex and the Roseley White Community Center, pay for acoustic treatments in the Willow Public Library meeting room, and consider taking over or otherwise assisting the Big Lake Lions Recreation Center.

The hearing opened after the clerk read the ordinance under consideration. "Ordinance serial number 25Dash025 and appropriating monies from the central treasury for the borough operating funds, enterprise funds, education operating fund, and capital funds, establishing the rate of levy for all borough functions for the fiscal year beginning 07/01/2025, and ending 06/30/2026 and setting the surcharge rate for the wireline and wireless enhanced 9 11 systems for the period of 07/01/2025 through 06/30/2026," the clerk said.

Why it matters: The ordinance (25-025) sets the boroughwide property-tax levy, operating budgets and capital spending for FY2026; resident requests during the hearing asked the assembly to prioritize local capital projects and one-time improvements as the assembly prepares final budget deliberations next week.

Jordan Lake Park and Jolly Creek drainage

Speakers from Big Lake described a 22-year effort to build Jordan Lake Park and asked the borough to fund remaining clearing and…