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Finance committee advances use of LATCF match for Turnagain Pass communications pilot
Summary
The Kenai Peninsula Borough finance committee reviewed using local area and tribal consistency funds (LATCF) as a 25% match on roughly $2 million in congressionally directed spending to build a communications tower in Turnagain Pass; staff said a feasibility study will be part of the required application.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough finance committee reviewed an ordinance to use local area and tribal consistency funds (LATCF) to satisfy a 25% cost-share on about $2,000,000 in congressionally directed spending to construct telecommunications infrastructure in Turnagain Pass. Staff said the appropriation would be the local match needed to move the federal award forward.
"We received about $2,000,000, with a 25% cost share, and we're asking to be able to utilize the LATCF to satisfy the match," a staff presenter said, explaining that the application must include a feasibility study and that study costs may be counted as part of the local match. The presenter said officials do not yet know which federal department will administer the award and that the feasibility study is necessary to ensure federal regulatory compliance.
Technical staff described the project as a pilot focused on a roughly 3–4 mile stretch of dead zone between the Hope cutoff and the descent toward Portage. "Our hope is that a single installation can cover that full 3 or 4 mile stretch," Ben, a borough technical lead, said, adding that the feasibility work will look for sites adjacent to power and with feasible access and lease arrangements.
Elected members and staff discussed sequencing and intent: the project is intended as the first of several installations along the Sterling and Seward highways to reduce long dead zones. The mayor said the pilot is focused on safety and careful sizing: the area has limited commercial subscribers, so the goal is not to build an elaborate site but to provide reliable basic communications for emergency response.
Committee members asked about what happens if one tower does not provide full coverage. Ben and other presenters said even a single tower would likely improve coverage by splitting the longest dead stretch; further towers could follow as funding allows. Staff also said the application will require compliance with federal regulations and that the borough is working with providers on possible use of existing towers or a mix of leased and borough‑owned infrastructure.
The presenter noted the ordinance is eligible for the consent agenda. Committee members did not record a formal vote during the finance committee meeting; the matter remains scheduled for assembly consideration via the consent process.
Next steps: staff will finalize the feasibility study and the application materials, and the item will proceed through the borough's consent and assembly review processes.
