KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Mitch Borden/KMXT
The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly is close to finalizing its budget for the upcoming year. One of the biggest decisions it has to make is how much it’s going to fund its school district.
When the borough manager initially released his proposed budget in April, it included an increase in property taxes of about one mill. This raise was to help supplement the school district’s budget shortfall, which at the time was around $1.5 million. That shortfall has shrunk to about $1 million due to some unexpected federal funding.
Even though some residents have stepped forward to support raising taxes to help Kodiak schools, many borough assembly members don’t want to raise property taxes. At a recent work session, assembly members agreed that the school district’s funding should be increased, but the amount and how the revenue is generated is where differences between members emerged.
The discussion drifted between providing partial funding to the district with a smaller mill rate increase or reorganizing how funds generated by property taxes are distributed. Raising the amount of tax revenue funneled to the school district could give it more money. But that’d mean other things would receive less funding, like the borough’s general fund.
Assemblyman Scott Smiley doesn’t believe the assembly can responsibly cut more from its budget and keep its mill rate the same. He also pointed out if people are willing to pay more to support local schools the assembly should listen.
“The schools need more money, it’s pretty clear. We’ve had 39 individuals come to speak to us about the school funding. I don’t know how we can hold the mill rate the same and do what’s right for the community. “
The assembly couldn’t come to a agreement of how it should proceed at its work session. It’s holding a special meeting tonight to decide on its budget for fiscal year 2019. It will be held in assembly chambers in the Kodiak Island Borough Building at 6:30pm.
