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Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly approves grants, contract awards and passes resolutions after hours of testimony
Summary
The Assembly adopted several ordinances and resolutions on April 7, including a hazard-mitigation grant and changes to the board of equalization pay, awarded multiple contracts, and passed resolutions urging changes to DMV processes and opposing SB277. Public testimony focused heavily on proposed school closures and road safety concerns.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly met April 7 and adopted a series of routine and contested items after more than three hours of public testimony and debate.
The assembly approved ordinance 26-033, which extends time limits for expiring project funds through June 30, 2027, and ordinance 26-034 (with resolution 26-022), accepting $281,250 from the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development for a Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. Both passed on unanimous voice approvals after public hearings closed with no speakers.
The assembly also adopted ordinance 26-035, increasing compensation for members of the board of equalization from $50 to $100 per day. An amendment to raise the rate to $150 failed; the ordinance passed with Assembly Member McKe voting no. Finance staff told the assembly the board typically meets during the day after the appeal period and that the increase responds to scheduling demands.
The consent agenda included multiple procurement actions and renewals. Of note: AM26-039 — a large fish-passage structure procurement — was discussed separately because of scope and cost; staff said the structure must meet Buy America/BABA compliance and be constructed to support fish passage and stream regrading, with federal and state grants covering a portion of project costs. The award was approved after staff explained grant matching and environmental benefits.
AM26-032 (RSA27 annual road maintenance) was awarded to Fickland Construction for approximately $1.186 million; members discussed prior performance issues, a year-long de facto hiatus the contractor served, and staff’s plan to monitor work. The award carried after discussion and votes.
The assembly adopted resolution 26-027 asking the state to review DMV processes to help people renewing work-authorizations maintain driver licenses; members amended felony-disqualification language to remove the phrase “in this state.” Resolution 26-028, opposing Senate Bill 277 in its current form because of its potential effect on correspondence education and charter-school funding, also passed; the resolution aligns with a similar unanimous school-board statement.
Public comment dominated the evening. Dozens of residents, teachers and school staff urged the assembly to fully fund schools and halt proposed closures of neighborhood elementary schools, particularly Meadow Lakes. Numerous speakers described the schools as community anchors that provide food, stability and services for low-income students, warned of longer bus rides and student disengagement, and urged a longer planning process.
Many residents also raised concerns about property-assessment practices, requesting audits and better disclosure of assessor records. Others testified about road conditions, culvert safety and prior contractor performance — all factors that influenced later debate on road-permit policy.
The meeting closed after further introductions of upcoming ordinances and committee dates; the next public hearing on several topics, including the road-weight-exemption ordinance (26-045), is scheduled for April 21, 2026.
