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Village Improvement Commission approves 2024 VIF reports, recommends FY26 line‑item budget
Summary
The Northwest Arctic Borough Village Improvement Commission on April 11 approved multiple Village Improvement Fund resolutions — including two 2024 VIF reports — and voted to recommend the FY26 line‑item budget to the Assembly. The commission also approved an electrical meter‑base upgrade application with one abstention recorded.
The Northwest Arctic Borough Village Improvement Commission on April 11, 2025 in Kotzebue approved multiple resolutions related to the Village Improvement Fund and recommended the FY26 Village Improvement Fund line‑item budget for Assembly consideration. The commission also approved an application for a meter‑base upgrade and listed several community project applications for further prioritization.
Madam Chairperson Marie Greene presided. Commissioners voted to approve VIC Resolution 25‑03, a resolution approving the 2024 Village Improvement Fund (VIF) report (moved by Commissioner Alvin Iyatunguk; seconded by Daisy Weinard), which passed unanimously by roll call. The commission also approved VIC Resolution 25‑01, another resolution approving the 2024 VIF report, by unanimous motion (Iyatunguk moved; Norman Monroe seconded).
The commission considered an application from Ipnatchiaq Electric Company for a stainless‑steel meter base upgrade and service‑entrance rebuild. Vice Chair Billy Lee moved to approve VIC Resolution 25‑02, and Commissioner Alvin Iyatunguk seconded. The resolution passed by majority vote; the transcript records Commissioner Daisy Weinard as abstaining and notes one recorded "no" vote but does not name the dissenting commissioner.
On budget matters, the commission discussed the proposed FY26 VIF line‑item budget and approved VIC Resolution 25‑04, recommending Assembly approval of the FY26 line‑item budget (motion by Norman Monroe; second by Morgan Johnson). That recommendation passed unanimously by roll call vote.
During the agenda review commissioners prioritized completed applications for funding consideration. The Native Village of Kiana’s application to purchase a John Deere excavator was listed among completed applications for commissioner prioritization; the transcript does not record a final disposition for that specific application. Commissioners also added the FY24 Teck annual report and the FY26 budget to "other business" for consideration.
Clerk Stella Atoruk administered the oath of office to Daisy Weinard during the meeting after the agenda was approved with the added swear‑in. Project Manager Hiram Walker said staff will prioritize outreach and travel to communities that currently lack representation and will conduct day trips to those villages.
Consultant Eva Harvey offered public comment, saying she made recommended changes after the prior day's meeting and that commissioners are up to date on priorities. The commission set its next meeting for July 7–8, 2025, with an application deadline of June 20, 2025. Vice Chair Billy Lee moved to adjourn; the meeting ended at 10:31 a.m.
What happened next: the commission forwarded the FY26 line‑item budget recommendation to the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly for consideration.
