The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly has approved a change to borough hiring rules that gives department heads more flexibility to promote internal candidates who may not meet traditional experience benchmarks but have proven they can do the job.
Ordinance 2025-05, brought forward by Mayor Peter Micciche, passed unanimously at Tuesday night’s meeting. The change allows department heads to recommend current borough employees for job openings even if they don’t meet the minimum years of experience required—so long as the Human Resources Director agrees and the mayor signs off.
The move is designed to help retain and promote local talent within the borough government, particularly in situations where capable employees are being held back by rigid qualification standards.
“Some of the restrictions on it, we’re making it so that people here that are qualified to do the work, we’re having a hard time being able to get into those positions,” Assembly Member Tyson Cox said during the meeting. “This will allow them to do it at the authority of the administration.”
According to a memo from HR Director Justen Huff, the goal is to allow “high-performing and talented internal candidates” to be considered for advancement based on their actual performance and capabilities—not just their resume.
The ordinance applies to both classified and administrative service positions and takes effect immediately. Officials say it will give the borough more flexibility to reward strong employees and fill vacancies without losing good people to outside opportunities.