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Kenai council adopts FY2026 salary schedule, approves $2.85 million set‑aside for capital
Summary
The Kenai City Council on June 4 enacted Ordinance 3471 (FY2026 salary schedule and classification plan) with several amendments, including a reclassification in the city clerk’s office and targeted grant restorations; the ordinance passed 7-0.
The Kenai City Council on Wednesday enacted Ordinance 3471 (FY2026), adopting the city’s annual budget salary schedule and employee classification plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and committing $2,847,077 of general‑fund balance for future capital improvements.
Council adopted the ordinance after a series of amendments that changed job classifications and restored small grants. Vice Mayor Nixon moved the main ordinance and the council approved the final, amended ordinance by roll call vote, 7-0.
The council approved an amendment that reclassified the deputy clerk position from Administrative Assistant (grade 14) to Administrative Assistant 3 (grade 15) and expanded duties to lead records‑management training and implementation. The clerk’s office and administration staff said the change will align responsibilities with similar positions across the city; the amendment was approved by unanimous consent.
Council also restored modest grant amounts during the amendment process. An amendment by Vice Mayor Nixon added $500 for “Industry Appreciation Day,” which councilors said is a long‑running community event; that amendment passed by unanimous consent. Council later increased the grant to Bridal Community Resource Network (listed in the packet as Project Homeless Connect / Bridal Community resources) from $500 to $1,000 after a motion citing the group’s local work; that amendment passed by unanimous consent.
A proposed $2,500 allocation to a local child advocacy center was introduced but withdrawn by the maker so staff could obtain additional budget details; the withdrawal was accepted by the council. A separate proposal to restore funding for the Kenai Watershed Forum failed on roll call (motion failed, 6 no, 1 yes).
After additional numeric adjustments to reflect approved amendments, Council member Askin moved corrections to the ordinance totals (small numeric changes to section totals); that motion was approved by unanimous consent. The final roll call recorded seven yes votes: Vice Mayor Knackstedt, Council members Askin, Douthat, Casena, Daniel, Sonart and Mayor Gabriel.
Council members, administration and the finance director thanked staff for work on the budget document and the multi‑week review process. Finance Director David Swarner and city staff advised the reclassification carries no fiscal impact for the current year and said the change will aid recruitment and records management.
The council’s action enacts the salary schedule and classification plan for FY2026 and makes the specified fund‑balance commitment for future capital projects. Remaining budget and fee changes approved elsewhere in the meeting will be codified before July 1 as part of the city’s fiscal year implementation.
