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Assembly moves forward with small appropriations for library internet and trail repairs
Summary
The committee approved an appropriation of $14,904 in state OWL grant funds for library internet costs and reviewed a request to appropriate $15,349 in additional local match for Chena Riverwalk and Chena Lake trail repairs; staff said the FAST policy board already approved additional federal funds and local matches are needed to award the bundled contracts.
The Assembly Finance Committee considered two fiscal ordinances on Jan. 2026: a staff-requested appropriation of a state OWL (Alaska Online with Libraries) assistance grant and a request for an additional local match to carry forward multi-agency trail repairs.
Library staff reported that the OWL program — funded by the state — covers remaining internet costs at public libraries after E-rate discounts, and the ordinance would appropriate $14,904 in state grant funds to the Special Revenue Projects Fund for library internet cost assistance. “The Alaska Online with Libraries, or OWL program, is funded by the state of Alaska with a goal to provide access to high speed Internet within public libraries all across the state,” staff said. Assemblymembers asked whether the application is annual; staff said the borough applies annually and the program has been available only the last two years.
Parks and planning staff then presented Ordinance 2025-20-1P, which would appropriate $15,349 in additional local match to unlock federal FAST funds for path repairs and upgrades to a portion of the Chena Riverwalk and two trails in the Chena Lake Recreation Area (including converting one segment of the Peninsula Trail from natural surface to paved). Staff said the FAST policy board approved additional federal funds in November and local sponsors — including the borough, the cities of Fairbanks and North Pole and UAF — must provide local matches so the bundled contract can be awarded and construction start in summer 2026.
Both items were presented to the committee for questions; staff described the scope, the need for increased local match because of higher construction costs, and the anticipated construction season in summer 2026.
