8 Medical Responders added to budget

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly added positions for 3 paramedics, 2 EMT IIIs, 2 EMT IIs, and 1 EMT I to the proposed budget last night for some $905,000. Two Road Maintenance Technician positions were added. The Assembly added funding for Parks & Recreation projects and postponed some amendments to next Wednesday's budget meeting.

Assembly Member Jim Sykes moved an amendment adding Road Maintenance Technicians. Assembly Member Steve Colligan made a secondary amendment and reduced the number of positions to two.

Assembly Member Sykes added funding for recreational projects including Alcantra Field, Birch Harbor Estates Park, and a new Parks & Rec. vehicle.

Aging ambulances were the subject of long debate and how best to restore them. The debate continues as a vote was reconsidered.

Postponed to next Wed. was an amendment by Assembly Member Beck to allow the School District to carry over its fund balance.

A memo from Finance Director Tammy Clayton outlined potential losses in revenues over the next four years, including:

• $5.9 million in less revenue from the recently increased property tax exemptions for senior citizens and disabled veterans
• State Revenue Sharing funds are projected to go down a little more than a $1 million each year until hitting $0 in 2019
• In 2017 the Areawide and Nonareawide funds will no longer receive any revenues from the Motor Vehicle Tax, dropping from 2016 numbers of $1.4 million and $245,000 respectively
• The federal funding called PILT, payment in lieu of taxes, is iffy. The $3.4 million in 2016 funding may disappear.

The Assembly meets on May 20, Wed. on budget deliberations and possible adoption at 350 E. Dahlia Ave. in Palmer. An executive session is planned for Aug. 18 on the M/V Susitna.

Contact Patty Sullivan, Public Affairs Director, 355-0103.