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 proposed purchase of the Big Lake Lions Club recreation center, citing concerns about debt and ongoing operating costs.

Assemblymember Tim Hale moved the first amendment to reduce the area-wide mill rate by 0.067 mills (from 8.612 to 8.545) and to reduce the projected fund balance accordingly. Hale explained the intent was to leave a modest reserve for projects that might be missed in the manager’s budget: “there's always a little bit of fund balance built into the, built into the budget, in case any assembly members have any, pet projects,” he said. The assembly adopted that amendment with no objection.

A second amendment added $50,000 to a capital planning grant for snow removal at the City of Palmer Airport. The amendment’s sponsor said the airport supports medevac and forestry operations and benefits the borough regionally; the assembly discussion noted the city owns and operates the airport while leaseholders and state funding cover some costs. The amendment passed with Assemblymembers Dimitri Fonoff and Ron Bernier recorded as opposed.

Assemblymember Bill Gamble moved a $26,000 grant to the Big Lake Community Council to complete Jordan Lake Park adjacent to the Big Lake Library. Gamble said the community had raised nearly $40,000 and the borough contribution would help finish a soccer field, outdoor seating and a small venue. The amendment passed without objection.

The assembly also debated and amended a community-cleanup item that funds towing and vehicle removal. An initial motion proposed $50,000 for towing reimbursement; a subsequent assembly motion increased that figure to $75,000 and the assembly adopted the larger amount. Planning staff and the deputy director, Jason Ortiz, told the assembly the cleanup program has run as a seasonal initiative for roughly two years, partnering with local nonprofits and completing 19 cleanups in the first season. Ortiz said the program created a diversion model with the district attorney’s office to route some participants to community service and cited potential savings in court and prosecution costs if the diversion program is expanded. “We were able to accomplish 19 cleanups,” Ortiz said, describing the pilot as run on a tight budget.

Assemblymembers also discussed a potential amendment to convert the cleanup coordinator position from a seasonal/part‑time role to full time. Staff said the position could be funded from one-time fund balance but cautioned that recurring personnel costs are typically funded through the mill rate. Manager Brown offered to provide written cost estimates and to prepare a draft amendment for the assembly to review.

Several members asked for more information before voting on whether the borough should buy the Big Lake Lions Club recreational facility. Assemblymember Dimitri Fonoff said the purchase could increase the mill rate by 0.076 and asked the assembly to review a facility inspection and cost report before deciding on any property acquisition; Manager Brown offered to arrange facility tours and provide the report.

After debate the deputy mayor moved to postpone final action on Ordinance 25-025 to May 8 to allow time to review outstanding items and for members to prepare additional amendments. The motion to postpone passed without objection, and the meeting adjourned just before 7:00 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Amendment 1 (reduce area-wide mill rate by 0.067 mills; preserve ~ $660,601 fund balance): adopted (no objection). Mover: Assemblymember Tim Hale. - Amendment 2 (Palmer Airport snow removal planning grant, $50,000): adopted; recorded opposition from Assemblymembers Dimitri Fonoff and Ron Bernier. - Amendment 3 (Jordan Lake Park grant to Big Lake Community Council, $26,000): adopted (no objection). Mover: Assemblymember Bill Gamble. - Amendment 4 / primary amendment (area-wide vehicle/junk removal — towing reimbursement): adopted after increasing amount to $75,000 (no recorded objection to final figure). Mover: Assemblymember (name not specified in record). - Motion to postpone Ordinance 25-025 to May 8, 2025: adopted (no objection). Mover: Deputy Mayor (name not specified).

Next steps The assembly will reconvene on May 8 to continue budget deliberations. Staff committed to provide a written report on the Big Lake Lions Club facility and to prepare a costed amendment if the assembly pursues converting the cleanup coordinator to a full-time position.

Source excerpts from the assembly transcript are available in the meeting record.