Mat-Su Borough to rejoin AML

PALMER — The Mat-Su Borough Assembly voted at their last regularly scheduled meeting in December to rejoin the Alaska Municipal League. During last year’s budget process, the $39,650 yearly AML membership fees were removed from the budget. During that vote, former Assembly member Jim Sykes strayed from his usual voting group to vote in with Assemblymen Jesse Sumner, George McKee and Ted Leonard to leave AML. AML is made up of representation from municipalities around Alaska to lobby together, train newly elected officials and offer organizational support for investments and insurance.

“I think that was a misvote on my part because I made the vote based on one of our members assertion that Anchorage did not belong and that was not true,” Sykes said after his last meeting.

Assemblywoman Tam Boeve asked that Manager John Moosey give an update on what AML does to the Assembly and Assemblyman Dan Mayfield moved that the Borough rejoin AML.

“The purpose really is to safeguard Alaska municipal interests and provide cooperation among the municipalities and whereby municipal officials may interchange ideas experiences and attain expert advice,” said Moosey.

The Borough has been a member of AML since 1997 and despite the lack of membership, still participates in the base organizations for finance officers, managers and mayors. The borough does not participate in the insurance program but does participate in the investment program, despite the lack of membership passed last summer.

“I’m convinced that we need to leverage our voice with other communities in Alaska on issues of common interest so I truly think it’s important that we partner with AML to make sure that our interests as well as the interests of other municipalities are taken into consideration by the state,” said Mayfield.

Leonard asked the Manager which lobbying effort provides more value to the Assembly, AML or the borough lobbyist John Harris. During last year’s budget concern, Leonard felt that AML was not representing what the Valley wanted.

“They weren’t presenting that, the importance of the PFD, so I think there were issues with what AML was giving as their priorities compared to what my constituents believed was important,” said Leonard.

Sumner offered that he believes that the Borough provides more value to AML than the AML provides to the borough and offered an amendment to require AML to pay the borough $5,000 if they were to rejoin as members, which failed 4-3. Mayfield’s motion directs the manager to pay dues by the beginning of 2020, which will prorate the cost from $39,650 to $19,760 through the end of the fiscal year.

“I think it has great value,” said Mayor Vern Halter.

Tim Hale filed a motion on December 18, the day after the last regular Assembly meeting to reconsider the motion at the Assembly’s January 7 meeting to offer more opportunity for public comment. The motion to rejoin AML passed 4-3 with Sumner, Leonard and George McKee voting against.