A special committee will host an additional public hearing for the proposed K-Beach Economic Development Service Area tonight.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Member Kelly Wolf introduced the ordinance to create a service area for his District 1 residents on July 28. He said he sees it as a way to strengthen their voice on issues currently affecting his neighbors.
Asmb. Wolf(K-Beach, District 1): “I like the engagement of people. It’s our government and we’re supposed to represent the people and so when they show up, whether they like my ideas or not, it makes me happy because now all of a sudden people are engaged. And to me, that’s good government.”
A portion of District 1 has been impacted continuously since 2013’s flooding; Wolf has said a service area would be able to apply for loans from the borough and grants from private, state, and federal agencies.
Another K-Beach area has voiced their opposition to the possibility of the City of Soldotna annexing their business district; Wolf has said a service area would put that decision to the voters in his district.
The proposed service area would implement a 0.01 mill rate increase for property owners and create a service area board of volunteers.
The two-hour public hearing begins at 6:00 pm tonight, August 13, at the Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna.
Another hearing will take place at next week’s regularly scheduled August 18 Borough Assembly meeting.