Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly approves VIF rule change, amended budget and six resolutions including student travel donation

Craig McConnell, president of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly, presided over a business meeting on Feb. 24 in Kotzebue in which the Assembly adopted two ordinances and approved six resolutions covering Village Improvement Fund (VIF) allocations, a budget amendment and several community projects.

The Assembly unanimously adopted Ordinance 26-02, which amends Chapter 11.08 of the Borough Code to modify procedures for allocating Village Improvement Funds and to direct some monies into a VIF Sustainability Fund. Assembly member Walter Sampson moved adoption; Carl Weisner seconded. BAF Chair Reid Magdanz said he hopes the revised procedure will support longer-term sustainability for VIF-funded projects.

The body also approved Ordinance 25-04-am-01, an amended line-item budget for fiscal year 2026. BAF Chair Magdanz recommended the amendment; Sampson moved approval and Billy Lee seconded. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

On resolutions, the Assembly approved six items. Resolution 26-08 authorizes a VIF match to support a water and sewer project for the Native Village of Deering; Raven Sheldon said the Borough funds will serve as match for the larger project. Resolution 26-09 approves a VIF application from the City of Kotzebue to repair the Kotzebue trash baler; the motion passed by majority with Assembly member Derek Haviland Lie recorded as abstaining. Resolution 26-10 ratified the mayor's appointment to the Village Improvement Commission; Resolution 26-11 adopted an amended employee handbook; Resolution 26-12 authorizes the purchase of a landing craft vessel from Hard Drive Marine as a pass-through transaction facilitated by Maniilaq; and Resolution 26-13 approved a donation request from the Northwest Arctic Borough School District to fund student travel for the NWA Regional Basketball Tournament.

Motions, seconds and outcomes as recorded in the meeting minutes: - Ordinance 26-02: motion by Walter Sampson, seconded by Carl Weisner; carried unanimously by roll call vote. - Ordinance 25-04-am-01 (FY2026 amended line-item budget): motion by Walter Sampson, seconded by Billy Lee; carried unanimously by roll call vote. - Res. 26-08 (Deering VIF match): motion by Walter Sampson, seconded by Derek Haviland Lie; carried unanimously by roll call vote. - Res. 26-09 (Kotzebue trash baler): motion by Raven Sheldon, seconded by Billy Lee; passed by majority with Haviland Lie abstaining. - Res. 26-10 (VIC appointments): motion by Billy Lee, seconded by Raven Sheldon; carried unanimously. - Res. 26-11 (Employee Handbook): motion by Derek Haviland Lie, seconded by Nathan Hadley Jr.; carried unanimously. - Res. 26-12 (landing craft purchase): motion by Billy Lee, seconded by Derek Haviland Lie; carried unanimously. - Res. 26-13 (school travel donation): motion by Walter Sampson, seconded by Nathan Hadley Jr.; carried unanimously.

The meeting included departmental and assembly reports. CEDC Director Chuck Greene and Public Services Director Clara Johnson provided written updates; BAF Chair Reid Magdanz asked for clarification on OCED grant reimbursement status and for improved VIF representation from several villages. Several members raised concerns about village utilities, including Selawik water and sewer and warm-storage building needs, and about staffing and funding for the Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) program.

During the opening invocation and safety moment, Assembly member Walter Sampson warned residents about travel during the storm: "Storm isn't over, advise your family not to travel in the storm; risk other peoples lives when searching." In public comment, Kiana resident Tessa Baldwin urged continued attention to water and sewer issues and thanked the Assembly for funding for Kotzebue and VPSO services.

The Assembly set March 23–24 as target dates for its next meeting and adjourned at 12:14 p.m.

(Procedural and vote details are taken from the meeting minutes presented to the Assembly; amounts and specific budget line items were not specified in the minutes.)