Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
While state lawmakers squabble over Alaska’s capital budget, Matanuska Susitna taxpayers are being presented with a proposed $378.9 million comprehensive budget by Matanuska Susitna Borough officials. The Borough’s fiscal year 2012 spending plan includes $259.5 million for school district operations, $43 million for Borough operations and $19 million for capital projects.
The bulk of the budget will pay for school costs, to keep pace with the fast growing population of the Mat Su.
Public hearings on the Borough budget are set to begin this week, with the first meetings scheduled for May 4 and 5 in Wasilla.
Acting Borough Manager Elizabeth Gray authored the proposed budget. Gray said during an overview of the plan last week that it aimed to maintain services while minimizing the effects of the Borough’s mill levy.
The Borough Assembly is expected to make amendments to the budget in the coming weeks before final approval of the plan.
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