Schools could get $1.4 million more in budget

Schools could get a $1.388 million increase. SART and Youth Court may receive $150,000 each. West Lakes Fire Dept. is slated to add two new full-time, fire service area assistants. Two firefighter/engineers may be added to Central Mat-Su Fire Dept. These are some of the items in the nine budget amendments passed by the Assembly Monday night in ongoing deliberations.

Nothing is final until the budget is adopted. Assembly Member Vern Halter made an amendment that redirected $1.388 million from the reserve fund balance for a funding increase to the School District. He also asked that the amount in the reserve fund be capped at $25 million until 2019. The reserve fund balance is examined by bond rating agencies and can affect the Borough's rating if reduced too low. The fund has been growing in recent years and has been tapped during recent budget deliberations.

Assembly Member Mathew Beck advocated for a $50,000 grant to Youth Court. Assembly Members Steve Colligan and Deputy Mayor Ron Arvin suggested an increase to $150,000, which was adopted. Beck also proposed giving $90,000 to SART, Sexual Assault Response Team. Colligan asked to increase the funding to $150,000 and to identify its funding source and Youth Court's as the tobacco tax revenue.

Assembly Member Beck asked to give the three cities block grants. Assembly Member Jim Sykes amended two of the amounts, $40,000 to Palmer, and $45,000 to Wasilla. Houston is slated to receive $21,000. Halter also asked that Houston receive $9,500 to paint and upgrade the Houston Fire Hall. Halter also added $100,000 in a principal payment for the Revolving Loan with the Willow Fire Service Area toward the purchase of a Nancy Lake property.

Assembly Member Dan Mayfield added two new full-time fire service area assistants to the West Lakes Fire Service Area. Mayfield also converted a vacant captain position plus funding to create two firefighter/engineer/driver positions for Central Mat-Su Fire Dept.

Mayfield began adding eight EMS positions. The amendment was postponed until Wed.

The Assembly meets again May 13, Wed. at 6 pm at the Borough Assembly Chambers at 350 E. Dahlia Ave. in Palmer. An executive session on the M/V Susitna is at the top of the meeting.