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Northwest Arctic Borough enacts budget amendment, code changes and land transfer; multiple motions pass unanimously
Summary
On March 31 the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly approved several ordinances and resolutions — including a FY2026 amended budget, changes to Village Improvement Fund procedures, professional services agreements, and a Noatak airport property transfer — and discussed a proposed water and sewer summit for frozen village systems.
The Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly on March 31 approved a series of ordinances and resolutions, including an amended fiscal year 2026 budget and revisions to procedures for Village Improvement Fund (VIF) allocations.
In a series of roll call votes, the Assembly enacted Ordinance 26-02 (amending VIF allocation procedure), Ordinance 26-04-am-01 (the FY2026 amended line‑item budget), Ordinance 26-03 and Ordinance 26-04 (professional services agreements for OCED grant work), and Ordinance 26-05 (reorganizing and amending sections of the Borough Public Services and Public Safety Code). Each motion passed by unanimous roll call vote after motions and seconds recorded on the floor.
Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 26-02 (VIF allocations to VIF Sustainability Fund): moved by Billy Lee, seconded by Carl Weisner; carried unanimously by roll call. - Ordinance 26-04-am-01 (FY2026 amended budget): moved by Elmer Armstrong Jr., seconded by Austin Swan Sr.; carried unanimously by roll call. - Ordinance 26-03 (Deerstone Consulting professional services agreement): moved by Elmer Armstrong Jr., seconded by Billy Lee; carried unanimously by roll call. - Ordinance 26-04 (Espelin & Associates professional services agreement): moved by Elmer Armstrong Jr., seconded by Derek Haviland Lie; carried unanimously by roll call. - Ordinance 26-05 (reorganization/amendments to Public Services and Public Safety code): moved by Elmer Armstrong Jr., seconded by Derek Haviland Lie; carried unanimously by roll call. - Resolution 26-14 (negotiation/acquisition/lease/transfer of property in Noatak for airport construction): moved by Elmer Armstrong Jr., seconded by Delores Barr; carried unanimously by roll call. - Resolution 26-15 (donation request from the Community Wellness Taskforce): moved by Elmer Armstrong Jr., seconded by Derek Haviland Lie; carried unanimously by roll call.
BAF Chair Reid Magdanz noted that some items had not been discussed in committee but were brought forward for Assembly action. President Craig McConnell asked questions on the ordinance reorganizing public services regarding interim positions; the Assembly approved the ordinance with the understanding further review may occur.
The Assembly adjourned at 2:20 p.m. The clerk certified the minutes on April 29, 2026.
