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Borough outlines 2026 state capital priorities, stresses roads, EMS and communications
Summary
The Kenai Peninsula Borough legislative committee reviewed and approved its 2026 state capital project priorities, emphasizing road improvements, solid waste, EMS area needs and communications upgrades; staff explained projects come from community nominations and can be carried for state or federal advocacy.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough legislative committee reviewed and approved Resolution 20 20 6-004, which establishes the borough's state capital project priorities for 2026 and compiles community-submitted requests for advocacy to state and federal officials.
John Hedges told the committee that the borough submits a yearly list of capital priorities assembled from community meetings and the clerk's office; typical borough requests this cycle include road service area improvements, solid waste funding, emergency medical services (EMS) and communications upgrades. Hedges said the borough re-submitted many requests from prior years, updated some items to reflect progress, and that state funds historically arrive with fewer federal-style conditions and can be spent quickly when awarded.
Assembly members asked about specific community inputs. President Khamzat and others queried whether Clam Gulch and Coho had been combined for meetings and whether items such as solar-powered lighted signs were singular requests or part of larger lists. Heather (staff) confirmed the meetings were combined on Sept. 25 and offered to provide the compiled project list to the assembly.
Vice President Cooper asked whether the school district and hospitals had been contacted. Staff said school priorities are submitted by the district (and are included in the borough packet for advocacy purposes but are not borough-originated requests). John Hedges said the borough typically waits for hospitals to submit projects but can carry hospital requests for federal grant packets; he noted that state capital funding for hospitals is less likely and federal channels are more promising for some hospital projects.
The mayor and staff stressed the local, community-driven nature of the process: communities pick up to two priorities and often designate a local representative to shepherd a project; the borough helps with cost estimates and packet compilation. Hedges said many communities have local volunteers and that the process is generally positive.
The clerk confirmed the Clam Gulch meeting date (Sept. 25) and the chair adjourned the legislative committee session at 04:35 before proceeding to the committee of the whole.
What happens next: the borough will transmit the compiled packet of borough and community CIP (capital improvement project) priorities to state and federal contacts for the 2026 cycle; staff offered to provide additional detail to assembly members about specific community requests on follow-up.
