HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION 2003-33CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2003-33
Suggested by: City Council
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, OBJECTING TO
ELIMINATION OF MUNICIPAL REVENUE SHARING/SAFE COMMUNITIES FUNDING
FROM THE FY04 STATE BUDGET.
WHEREAS, a list of budget cuts Governor Murkowski will consider has been made
available and a large majority of the cuts will impact communities and local taxpayers;
and,
WHEREAS, the May 19, 2003 letter from Governor Murkowski to the Alaska Municipal
League indicated the preliminary list of budget cuts to be considered may change if the
negative impacts to communities are too great, stating, "We will be evaluating all
opportunities for savings during my review of the FY04 budget. Please be assured that
we will carefully analyze the impact of spending reductions in order to support our
resource development objectives and have the least impact on the economy of the
state, its municipalities, and its citizens."; and,
WHEREAS, during a distressing economic recession when cities are struggling to meet
their fiscal responsibilities, maintain programs, and cope with continuous unfunded
mandates, it is bad public policy to further hamper them by decreasing or eliminating
MuniciPal Revenue Sharing/Safe Communities funding; and,
WHEREAS, decreasing or eliminating Municipal Revenue Sharing/Safe Communities
funding to the City of Kenai budget will force additional cuts to the city workforce,
including public safety and/or increase taxes in an effort to make up the lost revenue
caused by the proposed cuts, which will further burden our citizens and endanger the
safety of our community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI,
ALASKA, to declare its objection to the elimination of Municipal Revenue Sharing/Safe
Communities Funding from the FY04 State Budget.
2003.
~..
Carol L. Freas, City Clerk
Clf
TO-KENAI
FROM' AK MUNICIPAL LEAGUE
,
217 Second Street, Suite 200 · Juneau, Alaska 99801
ii i i
Tel (907) 586-1325 · Fax (907) 463-5480 · www.akml.org
FAX ALERT
PROPOSED STATE BUDGET CUTS
To: Mayor and Council/Assembly
Manager/Administrator; Finance Director, Clerk
From: Kevin Ritchie, Executive Director
Date: May 20, 2003
The Governor's Chief of Staff announced a list of budget cuts that the Governor will
consider. A large majority of the cuts appear to impact communities/local taxpayers. Tho
list, and a letter from the Governor to AML, may be viewed at: www.akn3, l.org. --~~.
_
The 5/19/03 letter from the Governor to AML appears to indicate that thc preliminary
list may be changed if the negativ~ impacts to communities are too great. The Governor
states, "We will be evaluating all opportunities for savings during my review of the FY04
budget. Please be assured that we will carefully analyze the impact of spending
reductions in order to support our resource development objectives and have the least
impact on the economy of the state, its municipalities, and its citizens."
In regard to the state sales tax issue that surfaced only in thc last weeks of the s~ssion, the
Governor states, "You (AML) are correct in observing that there was too little time left in
this Legislature to allow a thorough review oft he impacts oft he Committees' (Ways and
Means) sales tax proposal. Given where we are, we need to focus on the difficult task of
meeting the budget targets. I respecOrully request AML 's support in this effort."
In response, thc AMi, Board has appointed a Board delegation to discuss municipal
impacts, cost saving measures, and ways that communities can assist in developing a long
range fiscal plan. The AML delegation will meet with the Chief of Staff soon.
Local Response:
Many municipalities are deep into their budget and tax cycles. While you must do what is
best for your community, there is no solid Administration plan to make the specific cuts
on the proposed list. In fact, the Governor has indicated that he has not yet analyzed tho
impacts and does not want to harm municipalities. It may be most appropriate to'
1. Use the Legislature's adopted budget to estimate revenue from the State, and
2. Determine in detail the impacts of further State cuts as shown in the proposed
list. Provide the impact information to the Governor, your Legislative delegation,
AML, aaa your community.
If you have questions or comments, call Kevin at 1-877-636-I325.
Member of the National League of Cities and the National Association of Counties