Soldotna council to put annexation question on the ballot after 5‑0 vote

The Soldotna City Council voted 5‑0 on July 9 to adopt Resolution 2025‑027, directing that a proposed annexation be placed before qualified voters inside the city and within the proposed annexation territory.

Vice Mayor Parker moved to adopt the resolution and was seconded by Carey. The administration said the council and attorney worked with the Local Boundary Commission on a path forward and that placing the question before voters closes the process loop initiated by the city’s 2019 petition.

The city clerk detailed voter eligibility and outreach: “So at this time, we've identified a 136 registered voters within all of the territories. … They have to be registered to vote at a residence within those areas. We will also be sending postcards to each individual that we can identify, letting them know that they will have an opportunity to vote on this question on or before October 7.” The clerk added that maps of the proposed annexation will be provided to council members.

The clerk explained how ballots are tallied when outside territories have few or no registered voters: combined totals for inside and outside territories are used and the measure must reach the required combined threshold (the clerk illustrated that, for example, a passing combination might require six outside votes if other thresholds are met). The administration described the Local Boundary Commission direction as an unusual, precedent‑setting path for the commission.

The council adopted the resolution by unanimous vote. The clerk said voters must be registered at a residence within the relevant territory by Sept. 7 to be eligible for the October election and that the city clerk’s office will coordinate with the borough clerk on voter identification and notice.

Next steps include distribution of maps and postcards to identified voters and administrative preparations for the ballot question.