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Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly enacts FY25 budget amendment, restructures public safety and confirms treasurer
Summary
At its Nov. 12 meeting in Kotzebue, the Assembly approved an amended FY2025 line‑item budget and an ordinance restructuring Public Safety supervision, confirmed Jade Hill as Borough Treasurer/Finance Director, and approved a series of donations and property matters.
The Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly on Nov. 12 approved an amended Fiscal Year 2025 line‑item budget, enacted an ordinance restructuring supervision of the borough’s Public Safety Department and confirmed Jade Hill as Borough Treasurer/Finance Director.
Mayor Dickie Moto summarized the measures and recommended passage. Member Lincoln Carr moved to enact Ordinance 24‑07‑am‑01, the amended FY2025 budget; Member Derek Haviland Lie seconded. The assembly voted to enact the ordinance by roll call. Members discussed whether the budget would cover step increases for Village Public Safety Officers (VPSOs) and agreed to address multi‑year compensation items at a later reading.
The assembly also enacted Ordinance 24‑12 to restructure supervision of the Public Safety Department after Mayor Moto recommended approval and Member Haviland Lie moved enactment; the motion passed by roll call.
In personnel and fiscal actions, the assembly confirmed Jade Hill as Borough Treasurer/Finance Director through Resolution 24‑46; Member Austin Swan Sr. moved the confirmation and Member Haviland Lie seconded. The confirmation was recorded as approved by roll call.
The assembly approved a series of related fiscal and property actions: Resolution 24‑44 added VPSO Darrell Hildebrand as an authorized borough check signatory; Resolution 24‑47 authorized a ground lease with the City of Selawik to facilitate a public safety building and a solar farm; and Resolution 24‑48 authorized conveyance of the old Kivalina school building to the City of Kivalina for community use. Those motions were moved and seconded and recorded as passed by roll call vote.
Donations under the FY25 budget were considered. An amendment to Resolution 24‑45 changed the donation to the Native Village of Kotzebue Nikaitchuat Ilisagviat to $25,000; that amendment was reported as passing by majority (6–5). The amended resolution was then approved as recorded in the meeting minutes. Resolution 24‑49, a donation to the Kobuk 440 Racing Association, was approved by majority vote after members debated eligibility for other funding sources.
The assembly’s actions will take effect according to the ordinances’ and resolutions’ terms. Members said additional budget and compensation details will be addressed in subsequent sessions and that administration should continue to pursue outside funding to supplement borough resources.
Ending: The assembly set a BAF/work session for Nov. 25 and the next regular meeting for Nov. 26, 2024, and adjourned at 5:16 P.M.
