Assembly passes 2014 budget, property taxes static

With little fan fair the Kenai Borough Assembly on Tuesday passed the 2014 budget by unanimous consent, sending $73 million into the collective checkbook for the next fiscal year beginning July1.

Very little conversation was had on the so-called “status quo budget” beyond a last-minute moving of money into and then back out of the funds allotted to the Kenai Peninsula Development District.

“The mayor promised status quo and brought it,” said District 8 Assemblyman Bill Smith.

The budget spends $17 million to fund borough government operations and sends $43 million to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. The next largest expense for the borough in 2014 comes from garbage operations, which was allotted $6.9 million.

District 2 Assemblyman Hal Smalley called the 2014 budget process the fastest one since he’s been on the assembly and credited Navarre with fostering it through as promised. Assembly President Linda Murphy agreed. 

Also set during the regular meeting of the assembly was the 2014 property tax levy rate, which remained unchanged.