KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2000
Legislative Issues
The Kenai Peninsula Borough is in support of the following legislative issues. Details will be provided in position papers and resolutions submitted during the legislative session.
| } | Continue development of a state long-range fiscal plan that considers the direct and indirect impacts of the plan on municipal services and local taxpayers. Also, support a biennial state budget. |
| } | Maintain, at a minimum for FY 2001, the same
level of municipal revenue sharing funding as FY 1999 or develop a new state revenue
sharing program that considers: A minimum entitlement for all municipalities. A per capita allocation for fire, health, emergency medical services and police. Sharing of state motor vehicle gas tax revenue generated by driving on locally maintained roads, sharing of alcohol and tobacco revenues, and sharing of half of the statewide amount of exempted local property taxes on state facilities. |
| } | As required by the Alaska Constitution, provide quality
education to Alaska's children: Fully fund the education formula adjusted annually for inflation. Fully fund pupil transportation Fund school construction (including the 70/30 State/local funding ratio for boroughs), and fully fund school debt reimbursement Implement the "adequacy review" of Alaska's school funding formula as outlined by letter of legislative intent. |
| } | Fund state and local deferred maintenance projects. Consider selling state general obligation bonds. |
| } | Support continuation of funding for Capital Matching Grant Program for municipalities as set out in AS 37.06.010 and restore funding level to $20 million. |
| } | Power Cost Equalization - Develop a long-term funding solution and support development of new power sources. |
| } | Support adequate operation and maintenance funding for existing and especially for new transportation infrastructure. |
| } | Support development of the west side of Cook Inlet by identifying sources of capital funding and, if necessary, expediting transfer of municipal entitlement selections to the Kenai Peninsula Borough. |
| } | Amend AS 29.20 to allow municipal assemblies to change existing apportionment of the assembly after adoption of a final state redistricting plan under Art. VI, Sec. 10, Constitution of the State of Alaska. |
| } | Amend AS 23.30 to address worker's compensation for persons performing court-ordered community service. |
Operating Budget
1. One Hundred Percent (100%) Entitlement for School Debt Reimbursement for fiscal year 2000/2001 - $9,082,697
2. Full Funding for School Foundation
3. Full Entitlement for Pupil Transportation
4. Support increased funding to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for road maintenance.
5. Support for State Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation and Department of Fish & Game to maintain a presence at the Kenai River Center in Soldotna and to provide funding for the continued operations and maintenance of the Center.
Capital Budget
Detailed information for school and road projects is provided on the following pages.
1. Maintenance Projects for Various Public Schools and Facilities. (Pages 4, 5 and 6)
2. Road Priorities for State-Maintained Roads. (Pages 7, 8 and 9)
3. Support all federally funded transportation projects, especially those defined as high priority projects such as the Kenai Spur Highway extension, the Spruce Creek Bridge, and the Seward dock, and appropriate funds to meet matching requirements for those projects.
4. Support of funding to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services for the construction and operation of a Juvenile Detention Center in the Kenai Peninsula Borough.