A Fairbanks borough budget amendment to close Mary Siah pool just succeeded at the Assembly’s finance committee meeting. Motion was made by Tammie Wilson and passed 6-3; opposed were David Guttenberg, Scott Crass and Kristan Kelly. #fbxgov
April 19, 2025 at 9:43 PM
A Fairbanks borough budget amendment to close Mary Siah pool just succeeded at the Assembly’s finance committee meeting. Motion was made by Tammie Wilson and passed 6-3; opposed were David Guttenberg, Scott Crass and Kristan Kelly. #fbxgov
FAIRBANKS BOROUGH BUDGET LIVE THREAD:
We’re a few minutes from getting underway in Fairbanks. No public testimony at this meeting, just Assembly debate and votes on the budget. But members of the public are allowed to watch, and some Mary Siah advocates brought signs. #fbxgov
We’re a few minutes from getting underway in Fairbanks. No public testimony at this meeting, just Assembly debate and votes on the budget. But members of the public are allowed to watch, and some Mary Siah advocates brought signs. #fbxgov
May 9, 2025 at 1:56 AM
FAIRBANKS BOROUGH BUDGET LIVE THREAD:
We’re a few minutes from getting underway in Fairbanks. No public testimony at this meeting, just Assembly debate and votes on the budget. But members of the public are allowed to watch, and some Mary Siah advocates brought signs. #fbxgov
We’re a few minutes from getting underway in Fairbanks. No public testimony at this meeting, just Assembly debate and votes on the budget. But members of the public are allowed to watch, and some Mary Siah advocates brought signs. #fbxgov
Vote now. Amendment to close the Carlson Center fails by one vote, 5-4. In favor of closing were Tammie Wilson, Barbara Haney, Brett Rotermund and Liz Reeves-Ramos. #fbxgov
April 19, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Vote now. Amendment to close the Carlson Center fails by one vote, 5-4. In favor of closing were Tammie Wilson, Barbara Haney, Brett Rotermund and Liz Reeves-Ramos. #fbxgov
Opposition to the amendment, so far by Guttenberg, Crass, Kelly and Mayor Hopkins, has focused on quality of life for Fairbanks residents: “This is so tremendously short-sighted,” Kelly says. #fbxgov
April 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Opposition to the amendment, so far by Guttenberg, Crass, Kelly and Mayor Hopkins, has focused on quality of life for Fairbanks residents: “This is so tremendously short-sighted,” Kelly says. #fbxgov
If you missed it, this recaps borough budget amendments and passage last night. A short highlights thread.
Budget winners:
- Fairbanks schools. A $2.8 million increase to the $2 million funding addition Mayor Hopkins proposed, for a total of $62.8 million local contribution. #fbxgov
Budget winners:
- Fairbanks schools. A $2.8 million increase to the $2 million funding addition Mayor Hopkins proposed, for a total of $62.8 million local contribution. #fbxgov
FAIRBANKS BOROUGH BUDGET LIVE THREAD:
We’re a few minutes from getting underway in Fairbanks. No public testimony at this meeting, just Assembly debate and votes on the budget. But members of the public are allowed to watch, and some Mary Siah advocates brought signs. #fbxgov
We’re a few minutes from getting underway in Fairbanks. No public testimony at this meeting, just Assembly debate and votes on the budget. But members of the public are allowed to watch, and some Mary Siah advocates brought signs. #fbxgov
May 9, 2025 at 6:18 PM
If you missed it, this recaps borough budget amendments and passage last night. A short highlights thread.
Budget winners:
- Fairbanks schools. A $2.8 million increase to the $2 million funding addition Mayor Hopkins proposed, for a total of $62.8 million local contribution. #fbxgov
Budget winners:
- Fairbanks schools. A $2.8 million increase to the $2 million funding addition Mayor Hopkins proposed, for a total of $62.8 million local contribution. #fbxgov
To be clear, this action won’t be final until the Assembly votes on final passage of the budget, which is slated for early/mid-May. But Mary Siah will close unless the Assembly reverses this action before then. #fbxgov
April 19, 2025 at 9:44 PM
To be clear, this action won’t be final until the Assembly votes on final passage of the budget, which is slated for early/mid-May. But Mary Siah will close unless the Assembly reverses this action before then. #fbxgov
Amendment from the administration to change the way video archives of borough meetings are stored, resulting in $200,000 savings. Passes swiftly, 9-0. #fbxgov
May 9, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Amendment from the administration to change the way video archives of borough meetings are stored, resulting in $200,000 savings. Passes swiftly, 9-0. #fbxgov
Final vote on the Fairbanks borough budget. Passes 6-3; same no votes as on the added education funding amendment. Reconsideration fails unanimously.
There are Assembly member comments now but I'm not going to post them. We have a budget. Good night, all.
#fbxgov
There are Assembly member comments now but I'm not going to post them. We have a budget. Good night, all.
#fbxgov
May 9, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Final vote on the Fairbanks borough budget. Passes 6-3; same no votes as on the added education funding amendment. Reconsideration fails unanimously.
There are Assembly member comments now but I'm not going to post them. We have a budget. Good night, all.
#fbxgov
There are Assembly member comments now but I'm not going to post them. We have a budget. Good night, all.
#fbxgov
The motivation for this, beyond the savings from closing the building, is a perception on the part of the amendment’s supporters (so far Wilson, Rotermund and Haney) that the Carlson Center serves a “niche clientele” and that it isn’t useful to people outside the city limits. #fbxgov
April 19, 2025 at 9:55 PM
The motivation for this, beyond the savings from closing the building, is a perception on the part of the amendment’s supporters (so far Wilson, Rotermund and Haney) that the Carlson Center serves a “niche clientele” and that it isn’t useful to people outside the city limits. #fbxgov
Bit of a soliloquy happening from Scott Crass detailing past actions that hamstrung the borough’s ability to provide services by ratcheting down the tax cap a few years ago. I don’t know if everyone understands/remembers but it’s definitely useful context. #fbxgov
May 9, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Bit of a soliloquy happening from Scott Crass detailing past actions that hamstrung the borough’s ability to provide services by ratcheting down the tax cap a few years ago. I don’t know if everyone understands/remembers but it’s definitely useful context. #fbxgov
All members of the Assembly are present in person, which isn’t typical these days (but they were all present last week for public testimony too, which was good).
Gaveling in at 6:02 p.m. Here we go! #fbxgov
Gaveling in at 6:02 p.m. Here we go! #fbxgov
May 9, 2025 at 2:03 AM
All members of the Assembly are present in person, which isn’t typical these days (but they were all present last week for public testimony too, which was good).
Gaveling in at 6:02 p.m. Here we go! #fbxgov
Gaveling in at 6:02 p.m. Here we go! #fbxgov
Surprise! The earlier cut to the library position is reversed on reconsideration - it fails 2-7 the second time around. The library director is visibly relieved.
#fbxgov
#fbxgov
May 9, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Surprise! The earlier cut to the library position is reversed on reconsideration - it fails 2-7 the second time around. The library director is visibly relieved.
#fbxgov
#fbxgov
I made it to 10:25 p.m. but I am officially unbuttoning the top button of my shirt and loosening my tie an inch or so in accordance with that wardrobe modification.
Vote happens on cutting the energy management engineer. Fails 4-5. #fbxgov
Vote happens on cutting the energy management engineer. Fails 4-5. #fbxgov
May 9, 2025 at 6:27 AM
I made it to 10:25 p.m. but I am officially unbuttoning the top button of my shirt and loosening my tie an inch or so in accordance with that wardrobe modification.
Vote happens on cutting the energy management engineer. Fails 4-5. #fbxgov
Vote happens on cutting the energy management engineer. Fails 4-5. #fbxgov
Crass: “We don’t need to take drastic measures at this time - you may want to, but there’s no need. The public is looking to us for stability.” #fbxgov
May 9, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Crass: “We don’t need to take drastic measures at this time - you may want to, but there’s no need. The public is looking to us for stability.” #fbxgov
What’s up? It’s budget day in Fairbanks, and there are a BUNCH of Assembly amendments that have been filed, so buckle in. Check back in here starting at 6 p.m. to follow along when the meeting starts; I’ll be using the hashtag #fbxgov.
May 9, 2025 at 12:46 AM
What’s up? It’s budget day in Fairbanks, and there are a BUNCH of Assembly amendments that have been filed, so buckle in. Check back in here starting at 6 p.m. to follow along when the meeting starts; I’ll be using the hashtag #fbxgov.
Before they vote, shout out to the eight members of the public still hanging in here as we approach the four-hour mark. They're doing this to witness the process and keep elected officials honest; that's what makes this community what it is. #fbxgov
May 9, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Before they vote, shout out to the eight members of the public still hanging in here as we approach the four-hour mark. They're doing this to witness the process and keep elected officials honest; that's what makes this community what it is. #fbxgov
Wilson moves an amendment to cut a position from the assessing department because it's been vacant for a while. Turns out someone started Monday in that position. The Assembly chooses to not cut their position four days after they started. 0-9, amendment fails unanimously. #fbxgov
May 9, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Wilson moves an amendment to cut a position from the assessing department because it's been vacant for a while. Turns out someone started Monday in that position. The Assembly chooses to not cut their position four days after they started. 0-9, amendment fails unanimously. #fbxgov
Tammie Wilson with the first budget amendment of the night, cutting $16,000 from the mayor’s office budget. Crass asks Mayor Grier Hopkins what the practical impact of the cuts will be.
DISCLAIMER/REMINDER: I work in the mayor’s office. These cuts would affect me (but not a ton). #fbxgov
DISCLAIMER/REMINDER: I work in the mayor’s office. These cuts would affect me (but not a ton). #fbxgov
May 9, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Tammie Wilson with the first budget amendment of the night, cutting $16,000 from the mayor’s office budget. Crass asks Mayor Grier Hopkins what the practical impact of the cuts will be.
DISCLAIMER/REMINDER: I work in the mayor’s office. These cuts would affect me (but not a ton). #fbxgov
DISCLAIMER/REMINDER: I work in the mayor’s office. These cuts would affect me (but not a ton). #fbxgov
Mayor Hopkins asks Assembly to not act too quickly. Says he’s OK with closing Joy with a plan (say, in next year’s budget) but not within the next couple months, as many organizations are banking on using that space this summer and the coming school year. #fbxgov
May 9, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Mayor Hopkins asks Assembly to not act too quickly. Says he’s OK with closing Joy with a plan (say, in next year’s budget) but not within the next couple months, as many organizations are banking on using that space this summer and the coming school year. #fbxgov