Wasilla City Council approves 2017-18 budget

WASILLA — Following a second public hearing on the topic, the Wasilla City Council put the finishing touches on a more than $27.6 million budget for fiscal year 2017-2018. The council met in special session to address the issue.

The figure includes approximately $3.1 million earmarked for the new Mat-Su E-911 dispatch center. The city is fronting that amount to the borough to get the center up and running. In turn, it will reimburse Wasilla the funds over a five-year period. Overall, Mayor Bert Cottle said the city's operating budget reflects a 3.34 percent increase over the amended fiscal year 2017 budget.

Broken down, more than 54 percent of that figure--or just under $15MILLION will go to city personnel and benefits, while just under $5 million is on the ledger for operations, $3.31 million for capital projects and the final $4.41 million comes in as property tax mill remains unchanged. Wasilla can collect up to two mills by statute.ebts and transfers. Cottle noted that the figure reflects an approximate $2.2 million savings to city residents as the existing zero

Based on figures, the city's main revenue source continues to be the two percent sales tax on all goods sold within city limits. City finance director Troy Tankersley stated at a previous meeting that although revenue generated by the tax has seen moderate growth over the past 10 years, it is expected to remain flat with only marginal increases for the foreseeable future. Cottle stated the sales tax is expected to generate 75 percent of Wasilla's general fund revenue over the next year.

In addition to the new dispatch, other capital improvement projects on the board for the current budget include $350,000 to relocate the Dorothy Page Museum; additional/replacement vehicles for police, public works and the Menard Sports Complex at a total of $270,000; $250,000 for a new sand truck; $210,000 for a townsite and maintenance shop; $115,000 for snow removal equipment for the Menard complex, $100,000 each for infrastructure improvements (expansion) of Riley Avenue and Wasilla Airport apron improvements; $75,000 each for security cameras and park improvements; and $65,000 for water system infrastructure work.

In a public statement, Cottle noted that the city is expected to see steady population growth over the short term. At the same time, he said that growth will continue putting pressure on Wasilla's infrastructure and its need to continue to grow as the number of people and businesses increase. To address that, Cottle pointed out the city has implemented long-term strategic plan which will address city street and highways, zoning, and new mapping systems to help with present and future expansion.

The budget passed unanimously with 10 amendments to the document. Those amendments were line-item adjustments to the document and ranged from adding to the recreational services, parks maintenance, human resources, library, and general administration; to decreases in public works and museum.

With the budget's passage, the council agreed to cancel any additional scheduled special meetings to deal with the budget. It will hold its next regular session at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 8.

The fiscal year begins July 1.