Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly postpones 2025–26 budget ordinance after public hearing

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly on April 29 opened a public hearing on Ordinance 25-025, the proposed fiscal-year 2025–26 budget and levy-setting ordinance, heard multiple public comments on local programs and priorities, and then postponed action on the ordinance until May 1, 2025.

Clerk reading the ordinance identified it as “Ordinance 25-025, an ordinance preparing 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 July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026; and setting the surcharge rate for the wireline and wireless enhanced 9-1-1 systems for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.” The clerk then opened the hearing to public comment.

The hearing drew several speakers urging continued or new funding for community services. Casey Ressler of the Matanuska-Susitna Convention & Visitors Bureau thanked the assembly for past support of destination marketing and said the bureau will move into the new Gateway Visitor Center this year, asking continued funding for destination marketing. Nancy Bridal, a Sutton resident, urged the assembly to support a $500,000 capital appropriation for the Jonesville Public Use Area, saying the site receives heavy recreational use and needs sanitation and safety infrastructure. Mary Robinson, a Mat-Su Borough resident, and Kathleen “Kate” Graber, who said she attended a Palmer meeting about rebuilding the Palmer Library, urged continued support for borough libraries and for maintaining intellectual freedom in library collections.

Speakers also raised operational requests and concerns tied to the budget. Dave Cruz, a Palmer Airport leaseholder speaking for Airport Manager John Dimanti, asked the borough to again consider a $50,000 contribution to fund a seasonal snow-removal equipment operator, saying Palmer Airport handles about 50,000 takeoffs and landings a year and more than 12,000 of those are business aircraft, and that snow removal supports medevac and emergency access. Randy Crosby, a Trapper Creek resident, urged the assembly to slow a proposed borough agreement tied to development of a gravel pit near Mile 128 of the Parks Highway and to review past planning efforts before committing borough land. A caller identified as “Moki” urged rebidding last year’s road-maintenance contracts, estimating potential savings to taxpayers.

In procedural action after public comment, the assembly’s deputy mayor moved to postpone Ordinance 25-025 to May 1, 2025. With no objection from the assembly, the mayor announced the ordinance was postponed; the clerk said the next assembly meeting on May 1 would be the forum for assembly members to propose amendments, additions, or subtractions to the budget ordinance.

The postponement preserves the current schedule of additional public budget meetings and gives assembly members time to deliberate proposals in the May 1 meeting. Members who spoke during parting comments reiterated community events and recognitions scheduled for upcoming meetings.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 25-025 — motion to postpone to May 1, 2025; moved by the deputy mayor; passed by unanimous voice/with no objection; formal roll-call tally not recorded in the transcript.