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MAS Commission approves proposed 2026 budget pending review after administrator announces relocation plans
Summary
The MAS Commission approved the proposed 2026 budget on Sept. 18, 2025, while commissioners scheduled a follow-up meeting after Administrator Charlie Anderson said he expects to move in early 2026 and warned staffing rotations could reduce daytime crew size.
The MAS Commission voted unanimously on Sept. 18 to approve the proposed 2026 budget as presented, while leaving room for changes tied to the administrator’s pending relocation.
Administrator Charlie Anderson, who said he expects to move to Wabeno sometime in early 2026, told commissioners he would prefer to remain in his role but that a rotating schedule could reduce daytime emergency crew size to two members and could “potentially hurt the service.” Chris Schultz, MAS staff member, said maintaining three crew members per shift would add approximately $378,000 to the budget.
The budget resolution was presented by Chairperson Brenda Carey-Mielke, moved by Dave Van Zeeland and seconded by Randy Siewert. The motion was unanimously adopted. Commissioners present at the meeting (Randy Siewert, Jennifer Krueger, Brenda Carey-Mielke, Toni Stastny, Dave Van Zeeland, Judy Wanner, Charlie Anderson and Chris Schultz) voted in favor.
Why it matters: The administrator’s move and any subsequent staffing changes could affect response capacity and operating costs for the commission’s services. Commissioners scheduled a follow-up meeting for Sept. 25, 2025, to hammer out details and any budget adjustments before final implementation.
During the Sept. 18 meeting, Anderson and Schultz reviewed the proposed budget line items and answered commissioners’ questions about staffing and service levels. Anderson said he will have a clearer timeline for his move early next week, and commissioners reserved the right to modify the approved budget pending that information.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution approving minutes of Aug. 28, 2025 as amended: motion by Dave Van Zeeland, second by Randy Siewert; outcome: unanimously adopted. - Resolution approving the proposed 2026 budget pending further development related to the Administrator position: motion by Dave Van Zeeland, second by Randy Siewert; outcome: unanimously adopted.
The commission adjourned at 6:43 p.m. and reconvened planning for the Sept. 25, 2025 meeting at 3:00 p.m.
