Matanuska-Susitna Borough delays 2025–26 budget vote after assembly adopts several targeted amendments

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly on May 1 postponed a vote on Ordinance 25-025, the borough’s fiscal 2025–26 operating and capital budget, after adopting multiple amendments that change the proposed mill rate and add or restore targeted projects and programs.

The postponement to May 8 came after the assembly approved a set of amendments including a small cut to the area-wide mill rate, a $50,000 appropriation for snow removal at the City of Palmer Airport, a $26,000 grant for Jordan Lake Park in Big Lake, and a $75,000 allocation for an area-wide vehicle/junk removal program. The assembly voted on each amendment during the special-budget session; the main ordinance was not adopted and was continued for further review.

Why it matters: the amendments alter how the borough will balance the coming year’s budget and preserve a modest fund balance buffer while directing limited one-time funds to local projects and ongoing cleanup work. The issues also prompted public comment and requests for more detailed cost estimates before a final budget vote.

The assembly began the special meeting at 6:01 p.m. and first heard three members of the public who addressed proposed spending. Linda Spone told the assembly she opposed “fully funding the Mat Su borough libraries until all DEI, LBGTQ, transgender minors, and obscene vulgar perverted material is removed,” and objected to tax increases. Jackie Goforth and Mark Spohn also urged restraint in taking on new facility costs such as a…