Assembly hears ICC Alaska on food security; auditors present FY25 findings and members press for grant-accounting clarity

Members of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly heard a presentation from ICC Alaska and received the Borough’s FY25 audit during the March 31 meeting in Kotzebue.

Marie Greene, president of ICC Alaska, and Cindy Aldred outlined ICC priorities including food security, language protection and concerns about navigation along the Northwest passage. Assembly members thanked ICC for representing regional concerns; Carl Weisner said it was "great to have a seat at the table." Nathan Hadley Jr. drew attention to food security and protecting caribou migration routes amid high local cost of living.

Auditors from Altman & Rogers, led by Maxim Mamontov, presented a summary of the FY25 audit. The audit highlighted growth in committed sustainability investments and questions about the Borough’s unassigned fund balance. BAF Chair Reid Magdanz asked specifically about federal awards and tracking of funds: "Where did that go? Still secure for that grant?" Finance staff and auditors described the current balances but the Assembly requested further reporting to show funds remaining on awards and whether set-asides intended as match remain available.

Members also discussed revenue pressures: Magdanz noted a roughly $3 million decline in PILT revenue compared with the prior year, a point President McConnell said the Assembly had previously discussed and would monitor.

The Assembly requested follow‑up: staff were directed to provide more detailed accounting of federal awards and any unspent matching funds, and to return with clarifications on budget discrepancies noted between administration and finance lines.

The Assembly recessed at 10:56 a.m. and reconvened at 11:10 a.m. for committee and budget business.