The City of Soldotna is working on their legislative priorities for FY17, focusing this year on maintenance and upkeep more than new city projects.
City Engineer Kyle Kornelis says Soldotna is focusing on the core responsibilities as a municipality since the state budget is expected to get even tighter this year.
Kornelis: “This year, like most municipalities and agencies, we’ll be trying to focus on preventative maintenance and maintaining the critical infrastructure that we have.”
In this round of legislative priorities, Soldotna has reduced the overall number of requested project and eliminated rankings for projects under $100,000.
The Soldotna Regional Sports Complex Expansion remains the top and only regional project of importance. In the draft priority list that coundil reviewed Wednesday night, the city would request $5.9 million and provide a matching grant amount of $3 million.
The $950,000 for Road and Utility Projects was moved to the top of Soldotna’s legislative priorities since last year’s draft.
$400,000 for Citywide Deferred Maintenance like exterior and interior work or mechanical systems was moved into the second priority spot.
The installation of improved blowers and other improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant city for $500,000 has been listed as the third priority.
The recommendations from last night’s work session are being populated and the proposed list still must be presented and approved at a Soldotna’s City Council meeting.