Each year the Kenai Peninsula Borough inspects the non-departmental costs included in their annual budgets. Last night the Borough Assembly voted six to three in support of eliminating the proposed $50,000 funding for CARTS for the upcoming year.
Assembly member Stan Welles brought forward three budget amendments to zero out non-departmental funding for the Central Area Rural Transit System, Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council, and the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District.
Only the cut of $50,000 to CARTS caught momentum with Assembly Members like Seward’s Brandii Holmdahl…
Asmb. Holmdahl: “I just personally have a bit of an issue of providing borough-wide funds to an entity that only services a certain part of the borough.”
Multiple members of the Assembly voiced concerned over the leadership at CARTS and the way it is being operated, as Assembly President Blaine Gilman stated…
Asm. Pres. Gilman: “I’ve done a number of meetings with different entities that are providing substance abuse as well as mental health and disability services over the past two weeks and they have raised substantial issues with whether CARTS is meeting their service.
Homer Assemblywoman Kelly Cooper said she did not support the elimination of funding for the organization but was surprised when CARTS presented in a committee earlier in the day.
Asmb. Cooper: “I have to say I was very disappointed with CARTS responses to our concerns. I don’t support the amendment to zero them down, but I certainly have grave concerns. We can appropriate the funds but we could certainly direct the mayor to have a tighter monitoring on that department and make sure that all of the areas that need the support are getting it.”
Assemblyman Brent Johnson said he doesn’t think the cut in funding from CARTS’ overall budget will cause them to cease operations but he is concerned because they provide an essential service for low income residents.
Mayor Mike Navarre says the Assembly will reach out to CARTS management to set a meeting and see what kind of impact the $50,000 reduction will cause. If it is substantial, he says some funding can be put back into the budget at the Borough Assembly’s June 7 meeting.