The Soldotna City Council passed an ordinance that approves the Fiscal Year 2022 Capital Budget and increases estimated revenues and appropriations by $495,000 in the General Fund and $495,000 in the small capital projects fund. Council approved the City of Soldotna Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 22 through FY26.
City Manager, Stephanie Queen, told Council:
“This ordinance would appropriate funding for projects that were identified in year one on the five-year capital plan that was recently approved by the council. The purpose of the substitute, which is in front of you tonight, is that we had recently received confirmation back from the state of Alaska DOT on the two grant funded projects that we’ve been working to secure that final grant paperwork with them for. That is the ATAP project, the paving of the trails at Soldotna Creek Park and the construction of the new sidewalk over to Homestead Lane as well as the construction of Redoubt and Smith Way. So we now have those draft grant agreements that are acceptable both to the city and the state and we know the final dollar amounts. If the council amends the ordinance by substitute, it would include funding for our matching portion of those two projects as well. It would bring the total capital budget appropriation from the $495,000 that was originally proposed, up to $1,011,063 dollars by including our match for those two additional projects.”
Capital projects are established to help maintain or improve an existing City asset or fund new construction/purchases. Project costs may include professional services, construction, equipment, and other contracted services needed to complete the project. The recommended projects address a broad spectrum of city services, including public parking projects, economic development, and park improvements.
A motion to amend by substitute passed the Soldotna City Council and Ordinance 2021-015 was adopted after final passage.