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Assembly adopts FY27 budget, village fund and several measures in unanimous votes
Summary
The Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly enacted the FY27 line‑item budget and the FY27 Village Improvement Fund, approved a professional services contract under the Ambler grant and passed two resolutions; all measures passed unanimously at the May 27 meeting in Kotzebue.
The Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly on May 27 enacted its fiscal year 2027 line‑item budget and approved a set of related ordinances and resolutions, voting unanimously on each item.
Finance Director Jade Hill summarized the FY27 budget (Ordinance 26‑06), telling the Assembly the document reflects adjustments discussed at the Budget, Audit and Finance Committee and a corrected appropriation number. BAF Chair Reid Magdanz told members the borough is facing about $3 million less revenue than previously expected. "We had a couple changes requested yesterday," Hill said as she recommended the ordinance be enacted.
Walter Sampson moved to enact Ordinance 26‑06; Billy Lee seconded. The Assembly passed the ordinance by a unanimous roll‑call vote.
The Assembly also approved Ordinance 26‑07, establishing the line‑item budget for the FY27 Village Improvement Fund. Hill noted villages continue to apply for services; members asked about whether final contributions (including potential Teck or other investments) will be reflected in an amended budget. Derek Haviland Lie moved enactment; Nathan Hadley Jr. seconded. The measure passed unanimously.
Separately, the Assembly approved Ordinance 26‑08, authorizing a professional services agreement with Espelin & Associates LLC for work under the borough’s OCED Ambler 118 Grant Project. Hill summarized the agreement; Haviland Lie moved approval and BAF Chair Reid Magdanz seconded. That ordinance also passed unanimously by roll call vote.
The Assembly adopted Resolution 26‑22 approving the unincorporated community of Noatak for participation in the FY27 Community Assistance Program (moved by Austin Swan Sr., seconded by Vice President Weisner) and Resolution 26‑23 providing the FY27 local contribution to education (moved by Haviland Lie, seconded by Billy Lee); both passed unanimously.
The meeting record shows Tessa Baldwin Cyrus received six votes in a separate appointment to fill District 1, Seat C; that appointment was announced during the meeting. The Assembly adjourned at 1:24 p.m.
What happens next: Several members asked staff whether future budget amendments will capture pending contributions and grant finalizations; staff indicated changes would be brought back in subsequent budget work sessions.
