Wasilla council to discuss positions, funds to WASI

WASILLA — City staff and the Wasilla Senior Center could receive boosts if city council members approve a series of proposed amendments to the 2009 fiscal year budget.

Wasilla City Council members will consider on Monday multiple amendments, including an annual contribution to the Wasilla Senior Center. They will also consider staff requests to add four positions to the city’s payroll. Councilwoman Dianne Woodruff said the potential staff additions include a maintenance supervisor, human resources employee, accountant and a position in the city clerk’s office.

The council will convene in a public hearing at 7 p.m. at the beginning of the June 9 regular city council meeting to discuss the possible changes.

Councilman Marty Metiva said he has also submitted 12 to 15 amendments of his own.

Steve Menard, who represents Seat C on the council, said the timing isn’t right for adding employees to city staff.

“It’s premature right now that we’re putting those positions on the dockets,” Menard said.

Metiva agreed, saying that the city needs to keep its spending tight, like the residents they represent are doing in the face of rising costs for energy and gas.

“Looking at the budget this year, our No. 1 goal was to keep it small and efficient for residents of Wasilla,” Metiva said of the 2009 proposed budget.

The city is already paying in this year’s budget for a six-figure settlement with Gary Lundgren stemming from the acquisition of land for the Multi-Use Sports Complex six years ago.

Menard has also proposed sending $25,000 each year to the Wasilla Senior Center. The council appropriated the same amount of funds to the center this past year when it struggled to pay utility bills.

“I think it’s advantageous to assist our center as much as we can as a city,” Menard said, adding it’s essential for council to step up if it can to help keep the center’s doors open.

Wasilla Area Seniors Inc. Executive Director Robin Hall said even with the council chipping in this past year, the high cost of gas and electricity has pushed those expenses to more than $25,000 annually.

“I think without that funding our doors would be threatened to close,” Hall said, adding the facility gets some funding from the five apartment complexes on its property and from the state, but needs more financial help to keep providing the services and programs at its current levels.

Woodruff said she sympathizes with the senior center’s financial situation, and while it was a nice thing to do at the time to help out, the city cannot regularly appropriate those funds.

“I would be happy to help go through budget and help with grant applications,” Woodruff said. The city should become a granting agency for the center, as there are many programs that are also worthy of additional funding.

Although she hesitates about a line item for the senior center, Woodruff said of the proposed additions to city staff, an accountant, who would work in the finance department for the city, are needed.

“We have some really great people there who are really wanting to learn,” Woodruff said. However, the staff is relying on senior employees to teach other employees the financial ropes and Woodruff said someone with expertise would be helpful.

A staff accountant would cost the city upward of $60,000 a year, while the human resources position would cost about $92,000 annually.

Woodruff said she has discussed with Menard moving the city clerk’s office to increase efficiency and eliminate the need for an additional position.

Casey Reynolds, the city’s director of economic development, said the mayor’s office has not yet reviewed the budget amendments proposed by council.

Contact Derek Casanovas at derek.casanovas@frontiersman.com or 352-2284.