Assembly approves disaster relief, ARPA reallocations and routine contracts; three appointments confirmed

The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly on Feb. 6 voted on multiple routine and budget items, approving an emergency fisheries disaster grant appropriation, the write-off of several uncollectible personal property tax accounts, a reallocation of remaining ARPA funds, a four-year elevator maintenance contract for the Kodiak Fisheries Research Center and two mayoral Planning and Zoning Commission appointments.

Why it matters: The actions allocate federal and state disaster and recovery funds, adjust the borough’s receivables for accounting purposes and authorize contracts and appointments that affect borough facilities and land-use decision-making.

Ordinance FY2025-12 (Disaster funds): The assembly adopted an ordinance accepting and appropriating disaster funds tied to the 2021–2023 Bristol Bay king crab and Bering Sea snow crab disaster declaration. Borough manager Amy Williams told the assembly Kodiak Island Borough was eligible for $53,182.40. The motion to adopt was moved by Jared Griffin and passed on a roll-call vote, 7–0 (Ames: Yes; Griffin: Yes; Johnson: Yes; LeDoux: Yes; Sherritt: Yes; Smiley: Yes; Whiteside: Yes).

Ordinance FY2025-13 (Write-offs): The assembly approved writing off nine uncollectible personal property tax accounts totaling $15,190.98 (base tax $10,630.17; penalties/interest $3,959.87; fees $601.14). Amy Williams said staff had exhausted legal collection resources and that the borough’s attorney reviews such accounts. Following discussion by one assembly member who asked that debt-buyer options be pursued before writing off accounts, the motion passed on a roll-call vote, 6–1 (Sherritt: No; all others voting: Yes).

Ordinance FY2025-14 (ARPA/SLFRF replanning): The assembly adopted an ordinance reprioritizing remaining ARPA/State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) obligations and specifying the recommended order that staff said would minimize the risk of losing eligible spending before federal deadlines. Amy Williams explained the list was intended as an “insurance policy” to ensure certain projects’ expenses could be reported by the April 30 reporting deadline. After debate, the motion passed, 5–2 (Yes: Griffin, Johnson, LeDoux, Smiley, Whiteside; No: Sherritt, Ames).

Contract FY2025-42 (KFRC elevator maintenance): The assembly authorized a four-year contract with TK Elevator Corporation for elevator maintenance at the Kodiak Fisheries Research Center, not to exceed $34,300. Staff said one bid was received and the contract is required by the KFRC GSA lease. The motion passed 7–0.

Appointments: The assembly confirmed Mayor Arndt’s appointments of Sean Cleary (term to 12/31/2025) and Nicholas Mangini (term to 12/31/2027) to the Planning and Zoning Commission (city seats). The confirmations passed 7–0.

What’s next: The ordinances and contract take effect per borough procedures; the ARPA reprioritization places several projects earlier in the obligation order to meet federal reporting deadlines. Members asked staff to monitor timing and report back if contracts or abatement work change the available funding picture.

Votes at a glance (key roll calls): - FY2025-12 (disaster funds): Passed 7–0 (Ames, Griffin, Johnson, LeDoux, Sherritt, Smiley, Whiteside — Yes). - FY2025-13 (write-offs): Passed 6–1 (Sherritt — No; others Yes). - FY2025-14 (ARPA reprioritization): Passed 5–2 (Sherritt, Ames — No; others Yes). - FY2025-42 (KFRC elevator contract): Passed 7–0. - Planning & Zoning confirmations (Sean Cleary, Nicholas Mangini): Passed 7–0.

Assembly members and staff said they will monitor implementation and bring follow-ups to future meetings if necessary.