Wasilla passes budget

WASILLA — The Wasilla City Council passed their budget by a 4-1 vote at a special budget meeting on April 28. The amended budget appropriates $34,134,004 with a Capital Fund of $1,266,000. Following numerous special budget deliberations, Councilman Jordan Rausa was the only ‘no’ vote on the budget with Councilman James Harvey absent.

Amendment number three to the budget failed by a 3-2 vote to spend $15,000 for a credit card machine that would also accept cash to replace the iron cash receptacles at the Lake Lucille Campground, boat launch and airport.

“When we talk about the Lucille campground specifically we’re getting more and more individuals that want to pay by credit card, so how do we facilitate that. We tried to do this under the CARES act funding,” said Finance Director Troy Tankersly. “It’s an idea to facilitate the patrons that use the campground like I said we’re getting a lot of requests for it. Unfortunately I can’t say that the [return on investment] on the machine is quick, it’s not, but it also provides a service.”

Tankersly also mentioned the vandalism that typically occurs to the cash receptacles. The $15,000 put forward in amendment three would purchase the credit card machine and construct a shed around the concrete reinforced machine. Councilman Rausa asked Tankersly if the intent would be to replace the cash boxes and came up with a different solution himself.

“A brick and mortar credit card machine might be unnecessary when everyone carries a cell phone in their hands and you could just as easily get on a webpage that is hosted by the city that is advertised on a sign,” said Rausa. “I’d like to see some actual data on that, what percentage of our campers are elderly and might be incapable of using their cell phone to make a payment.”

Rausa vote with Councilman Tim Johnson in opposition of the amendment which failed without four council members in support. However, Councilman Johnson asked Tankersly to reintroduce the idea at a later meeting.