Seven other measures also are set for public testimony, including appropriations aimed at furthering construction projects at South Peninsula Hospital and maintenance work at borough schools.
As written currently, the FY 2009 proposed by Mayor John Williams' administration in Ordinance 2008-19 would spend just over $108 million.
Making up the bulk of those expenditures is the $67.6 million in general fund spending, which includes $40.8 million to operate schools. About $32.5 million of the school money would come from local taxes.
The total estimated cost of running schools in FY 2009 is $137 million, including $128.7 million for operations, about $6.2 million for maintenance, $2 million for insurance, and assorted other costs for utilities, custodial services and auditing.
The rest of the $108 million is comprised of spending through local service area budgets, debt service, capital projects and assorted internal service funds including insurance and litigation, health insurance reserves and replacing equipment.
Public input also will be sought for Ordinance 2007-19-22, which would appropriate $850,000 in interest income toward ongoing capital improvements at South Peninsula Hospital. The measure was tabled late last year while the borough and state negotiated a new Certificate of Need for the $32 million, multi-stage, bond-driven project. The next phase of the expansion of the hospital is currently in the bidding process.
The assembly also will take testimony and consider appropriating $60,000 from the school maintenance fund to purchase a scissor lift and trailer. The old lift, purchased used in 1979, was sold at auction in September. A new lift was included in the FY 2007 budget but was not purchased, the maintenance department opting to rent lifts as needed during 2007, according to Finance Director Craig Chapman.
A new lift, projected to have a useful life of 15 to 20 years, is needed as the maintenance department gears up for summer projects. The expenditure will have no effect on current-year schools funding, Chapman said.
Also up for a hearing is Ordinance 2008-05 (substitute), which would amend the borough code regarding road standards. The controversial measure may finally get an up or down assembly vote, but also could be delayed for further hearings.
Other ordinances set for public hearings in Seward include:
Ordinance 2008-08, amending borough code to authorize a decrease in the E911 phone surcharge from $1.35 per month to $1.15.
Ordinance 2008-09, which would authorize a negotiated lease at less than fair market value of about 90 acres of borough land in the Homer area to Kachemak Nordic Ski Club Inc., for development, management and maintenance of the Lookout Mountain Trail System.
Ordinance 2008-10, amending borough code to require documented legal access to subdivisions within the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Assemblywoman Milli Martin, in a memo to the assembly, said that in the past, subdivisions have been developed without documenting that legal access existed. The measure would not require subdividers actually build the access route, but would require they show constructible legal access could be built in the future.
Ordinance 2008-12, which would adopt and amendment to the Final Plan Amendment of the borough's Coastal Zone Management Plan.
Hal Spence can be reached at
hspence@ptialaska.net
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Homer Alaska - News -
Story last updated at
8:47 PM on
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Borough budget gets first of three hearings Tuesday
By HAL SPENCE
Morris News Service - Alaska
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