MATANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH  
350 East Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, Alaska 99645 - 907-861-8683  
BOROUGH MAYOR  
Edna DeVries  
Michael Bowles, District 1  
Stephanie Nowers, District 2  
Dee McKee, District 3  
BOROUGH CLERK  
Lonnie R. McKechnie, CMC  
Maxwell Sumner, District 4  
Bill Gamble, District 5  
Dmitri Fonov, District 6  
Ron Bernier, District 7  
BOROUGH MANAGER  
Michael Brown  
BOROUGH ATTORNEY  
Nicholas Spiropoulos  
MEETING MINUTES  
ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS  
350 EAST DAHLIA AVENUE, PALMER  
ASSEMBLY SPECIAL MEETING  
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2026  
6:00 PM  
Budget Deliberations and Possible Adoption  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
The special meeting of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly was held  
on Tuesday, May 7, 2026, at the Borough Assembly Chambers, 350 E.  
Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, Alaska. The meeting was called to order at 6:00  
p.m. by Mayor Edna DeVries.  
II. ROLL CALL  
Present: 6 - Assemblymember Stephanie Nowers, Assemblymember Dee  
McKee, Assemblymember Maxwell Sumner, Assemblymember  
Bill Gamble, Assemblymember Dmitri Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Ron Bernier  
Telephonic: 1 - Assemblymember Michael Bowles  
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
The agenda was approved as presented without objection.  
IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Brown, Borough Manager.  
V. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (Three Minutes Per Person.)  
There was no one present who wished to testify.  
VI. ITEMS OF BUSINESS  
A. BUDGET DELIBERATIONS AND POSSIBLE ADOPTION  
An Ordinance Appropriating Monies From The Central Treasury For The  
OR 26-026  
Borough Operating Funds, Enterprise Funds, Education Operating Fund  
And Capital Funds, Establishing The Rate Of Levy For All Borough  
Functions For The Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2026, And Ending June  
30, 2027; And Setting The Surcharge Rate For The Wireline And  
Wireless Enhanced 911 Systems For The Period Of July 1, 2026,  
Through June 30, 2027.  
Ms. McKechnie read the legislation into the record.  
Assemblymember Nowers moved to adopt Ordinance Serial  
No. 26-026.  
Amendment No. 1  
Areawide Fund - Non-Departmental (page 65), Education Fund  
(page 187), and Capital (pages 373, 375, 391, and 449).  
Assemblymember Sumner moved a primary amendment and to  
make any other conforming changes to the budget as follows:  
* the Areawide Fund, Non-Departmental, Education Operating  
(445.220) by increasing the appropriation by the amount of  
$1,560,662;  
* decreasing the Areawide Fund, Non-Departmental, Capital  
Transfer (446.700) appropriation by the amount of $1,800,000  
and eliminating the Talkeetna Elementary Roof Replacement  
Project; and  
* the Education Fund, Non-Departmental by increasing both  
Transfers from Other Funds, Areawide (367.110) and  
Education - Operating (406.100) by $1,560,662.  
Assemblymember McKee made a motion to have Katie  
Gardner, Deputy Superintendent of Business and Operations to  
speak to the body.  
The motion failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 4 - Assemblymember Sumner, Assemblymember Gamble,  
Assemblymember Fonov, and Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 3 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers, and  
Assemblymember McKee  
Assemblymember Bowles moved to reconsider the ruling vote  
on the motion to have Katie Gardner, Deputy Superintendent  
of Business and Operations to speak to the body.  
The motion failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 3 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers, and  
Assemblymember Sumner  
No: 4 - Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Gamble,  
Assemblymember Fonov, and Assemblymember Bernier  
Amendment No. 2  
Areawide Fund - Community Development-Recreational  
Services (page 143).  
Assemblymember Nowers moved a primary amendment and to  
make any other conforming changes to the budget as follows:  
* The Areawide Fun, Community Development-Recreational  
Services (Division 129) (Glacier View) by increasing the total  
appropriation by the amount of $140,000. This amendment  
would provide for utilities, insurance, an on-call employee and  
other costs associated with acquiring and maintaining the  
facility.  
The primary amendment failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 3 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 4 - Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, and Assemblymember Fonov  
Amendment No. 3  
Areawide Fund - Animal Care and Regulation Division (page  
82).  
Assemblymember Sumner moved a primary amendment and to  
make any other conforming changes to the budget as follows:  
*the Areawide Fund, Animal Care and Regulation Division by  
decreasing the appropriation for temp wages and benefits by  
the amount of $33,390.  
The primary amendment passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 5 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 2 - Assemblymember Nowers, and Assemblymember McKee  
Amendment No. 4  
Areawide Fund - Non-Departmental (page 65) and Capital  
Project (pages 371 and 384).  
Assemblymember Sumner moved a primary amendment and  
any other conforming changes to the budget as follows:  
* the Areawide Fund, Non-Departmental, Transfers to City of  
Wasilla Planning (449.205) by decreasing the appropriation by  
the amount of $100,000.  
The primary amendment passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
Amendment No. 5  
Budget Ordinance-Section 18 E-911, Areawide Fund -  
Department of Emergency Services - Telecommunications  
Network (page 126), and E-911 Fund (page 179).  
Assemblymember Fonov moved a primary amendment and any  
other conforming changes to the budget as follows:  
* in Section 18 of the Budget Ordinance amend the E-911  
surcharge from $1.00 to $1.50;  
* the Areawide Fund, Department of Emergency Services -  
Telecommunications Network-Other Contractual  
(100.160.126.429.000) by increasing the appropriation by the  
amount of $73,742;  
* the E-911 Fund-Enhanced 911 Surcharge Revenues  
(200.000.000.342.700) by increasing the amount by $660,000;  
* the E-911 Fund-Other Contractual (202.160.370.429.900) by  
increasing the appropriation by the amount of $156,128, to  
fund call takes and dispatch for Fire and EMS; and  
* the E-911 Fund-Transfer to City of Wasilla  
(202.000.000.449.200) by increasing the appropriation by  
$403,115 for a grant to provide Alaska Department of Public  
Safety call taking.  
Assemblymember Sumner moved a secondary amendment to  
strike the first line, "in Section 18 of the Budget Ordinance  
amend the E-911 surcharge from $1.00 to $1.50," and to strike  
the third line, "the E-911 Fund-Enhanced 911 Surcharge  
Revenues (200.000.000.342.700) by increasing the amount by  
$660,000".  
Assemblymember Nowers moved to postpone the amendment  
to the May 12, 2026, special meeting.  
The motion to postpone failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 3 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 4 - Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, and Assemblymember Fonov  
Assemblymember Sumner called for the question (to stop  
debate)  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 6 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, and Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 1 - Assemblymember Fonov  
The secondary amendment failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 3 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Sumner, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 4 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember McKee,  
Assemblymember Gamble, and Assemblymember Fonov  
The primary amendment passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 5 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember McKee,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 2 - Assemblymember Nowers, and Assemblymember Sumner  
The meeting recessed at 7:51 p.m. and reconvened at 8:06 p.m.  
Assemblymember Fonov moved to reconsider the vote on  
Amendment No. 2.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
Amendment No. 2  
Areawide Fund - Community Development-Recreational  
Services (page 143).  
The primary amendment and to make any other conforming  
changes to the budget as follows:  
* The Areawide Fun, Community Development-Recreational  
Services (Division 129) (Glacier View) by increasing the total  
appropriation by the amount of $140,000. This amendment  
would provide for utilities, insurance, an on-call employee and  
other costs associated with acquiring and maintaining the  
facility.  
The primary amendment passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 5 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 2 - Assemblymember McKee, and Assemblymember Sumner  
Amendment No. 6  
Areawide Fund - Non-Departmental (page 65) and Capital  
Project (pages 371 and 383).  
Assemblymember Fonov moved a primary amendment and to  
make any other conforming changes to the budget as follows:  
* the Areawide Fund, Non-Departmental, Transfer to Capital  
415/425/430/435/440...(446.700) by decreasing the  
appropriation by the amount of $50,000 and removing the  
project for the City of Palmer Airport Grant.  
Assemblymember Nowers moved to postpone the amendment  
to the May 12, 2026, special meeting.  
The motion to postpone failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 1 - Assemblymember Nowers  
No: 6 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember McKee,  
Assemblymember Sumner, Assemblymember Gamble,  
Assemblymember Fonov, and Assemblymember Bernier  
Assemblymember McKee moved to reconsider the vote to  
postpone.  
The motion to reconsider passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 4 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember McKee,  
Assemblymember Gamble, and Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 3 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Sumner, and  
Assemblymember Fonov  
MOTION PENDING: Assemblymember Nowers moved to  
postpone to the May 12, 2026, special meeting.  
The motion to postpone passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 4 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember McKee,  
Assemblymember Gamble, and Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 3 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Sumner, and  
Assemblymember Fonov  
Amendment No. 7  
Areawide Fund - Non-Departmental (page 65) and Capital  
Project (pages 373 and 391).  
Assemblymember Fonov moved a primary amendment and to  
make any other conforming changes to the budget as follows:  
* the Areawide Fund, Non-Departmental, Transfer to Capital  
415/425/430/435/440...(446.700) by increasing the appropriation  
by the amount of $250,000 for Public Transit.  
Assemblymember Sumner called for the question (to stop  
debate)  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
The primary amendment passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 6 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Gamble,  
Assemblymember Fonov, and Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 1 - Assemblymember Sumner  
Assemblymember Sumner called for the question (to stop  
debate) for the main motion.  
The motion failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 3 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Sumner, and  
Assemblymember Gamble  
No: 4 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember McKee,  
Assemblymember Fonov, and Assemblymember Bernier  
Amendment No. 8  
Areawide Fund - Non-Departmental (page 65) and Education  
Fund (page 187).  
Assemblymember Sumner moved a primary amendment and to  
make any other conforming changes to the budget as follows:  
* the Areawide Fund, Non-Departmental, Education Operating  
(445.220) by increasing the appropriation by the amount of  
$1,587,697; and  
* the Education Fund, Non-Departmental by increasing both  
Transfers from Other Funds, Areawide (367.110) and  
Education - Operating (406.100) by $1,587,697.  
Assemblymember Nowers moved to postpone to the May 12,  
2026, special meeting.  
Assemblymember Sumner called for the question (to stop  
debate)  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
The motion to postpone to the May 12, 2026, special meeting  
failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 3 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember McKee, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 4 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, and Assemblymember Fonov  
Assemblymember Fonov called for the question (to stop  
debate)  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
The primary amendment failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 2 - Assemblymember Nowers, and Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 5 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember McKee,  
Assemblymember Sumner, Assemblymember Gamble, and  
Assemblymember Fonov  
Amendment No. 9  
Areawide Fund - Reconciliation - Reserves  
Assemblymember Nowers moved a primary amendment and to  
make any other conforming changes to the budget as follows:  
* To create an Areawide Fund Balance Reserve to potentially  
fund Meadow Lakes Elementary in the amount of $2,066,401.  
Assemblymember Sumner called for the question (to stop  
debate)  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 2 - Assemblymember Nowers, and Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 5 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember McKee,  
Assemblymember Sumner, Assemblymember Gamble, and  
Assemblymember Fonov  
The primary amendment failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 2 - Assemblymember Nowers, and Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 5 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember McKee,  
Assemblymember Sumner, Assemblymember Gamble, and  
Assemblymember Fonov  
Assemblymember Nowers moved to continue Ordinance Serial  
No. 26-026 to May, 12, 2026.  
The motion failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 3 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember McKee, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 4 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, and Assemblymember Fonov  
Assemblymember Fonov moved to suspend the rules and  
extend the meeting past 10 p.m. and not to exceed 11:00 p.m.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
Amendment No. 10  
Areawide Fund - Non-Departmental (page 65) and Capital  
Project (page 373).  
Assemblymember Fonov moved a primary amendment and to  
make any other conforming changes to the budget as follows:  
* the Areawide Fund, Non-Departmental, transfer to Capital  
(446.700) by increasing the appropriation by the amount of  
$25,000 for the Pike Youth Bounty Program.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
Amendment No. 11  
Areawide Fund - Non-Departmental (page 65), Education Fund  
(page 187), and Capital Project (pages 373 and 385).  
Assemblymember Sumner moved a primary amendment and to  
make any other conforming changes to the budget as follows:  
* the Areawide Fund, Non-Departmental, transfer to Capital  
415/425/430/435/440... (446.700) by decreasing the  
appropriation by the amount of $75,000 and removing the  
project for the Firearm Safety Training Grant;  
* adding $46,000 to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School  
District for a grant for Hunter Education and Firearm Safety  
Training opportunities at the seven high schools through after  
school programs, in the Areawide Fund, Non-Departmental,  
Capital Transfer (446.700); and  
* the Education Fund, Education Contribution (406.200)  
increase the appropriation of $46,000 for a grant for Hunter  
Education and Firearm Safety Training opportunities at the  
seven high schools through after school programs.  
Assemblymember Bernier moved a secondary amendment to  
keep appropriation by the amount of $50,000 for the Firearm  
Safety Training Grant for adults and to add $50,000 to the  
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District for a grant for  
Hunter Education and Firearm Safety Training opportunities.  
The motion failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 2 - Assemblymember Bowles, and Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 5 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember McKee,  
Assemblymember Sumner, Assemblymember Gamble, and  
Assemblymember Fonov  
Assemblymember Fonov moved a secondary amendment to  
keep appropriation by the amount of $29,000 for the Firearm  
Safety Training Grant for adults with a $25 deposit and to add  
$46,000 to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District for  
a grant for Hunter Education and Firearm Safety Training  
opportunities.  
The secondary amendment passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
The primary amendment passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
The meeting recessed at 10:15 p.m. and reconvened at 10:27 p.m.  
Assemblymember Gamble moved to reconsider the  
postponement of Amendment No. 6 to the May 12, 2026,  
special meeting.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 6 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember McKee,  
Assemblymember Sumner, Assemblymember Gamble,  
Assemblymember Fonov, and Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 1 - Assemblymember Nowers  
MOTION PENDING: Assemblymember Nowers moved to  
postpone Amendment No. 6 to the May 12, 2026, special  
meeting.  
Assemblymember Sumner called for the question (to stop  
debate) .  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
The motion to postpone failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 2 - Assemblymember Nowers, and Assemblymember McKee  
No: 5 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
(Clerk's Note: Amendment No. 6 was back before the Assembly.)  
Assemblymember Sumner called for the question (to stop  
debate).  
The motion to postpone failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 2 - Assemblymember Nowers, and Assemblymember McKee  
No: 5 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
The primary amendment failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 5 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 2 - Assemblymember Nowers, and Assemblymember McKee  
Assemblymember Nowers moved to set the mill rates at 7.955  
areawide and 0.16 nonareawide.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
The main motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 5 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember Sumner, Assemblymember Gamble, and  
Assemblymember Fonov  
No: 2 - Assemblymember McKee, and Assemblymember Bernier  
VII. VETO  
A. Motion to Override Any Possible Mayoral Veto on Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Items  
(Ordinance Serial No. 26-026)  
There were no vetoes presented.  
VIII. MAYOR, ASSEMBLY, AND STAFF COMMENT  
Assemblymember McKee spoke to the budget process.  
Assemblymember Sumner spoke to the amendments made and the budget  
process and opined he is proud the budget.  
Assemblymember Fonov thanked the directors and staff and spoke passing  
the budget in one night.  
Assemblymember Gamble spoke to the budget and schools. Thanked the  
directors.  
Assemblymember Bowles spoke to the budget.  
Assemblymember Nowers spoke to the City of Palmer and schools.  
Mayor DeVries spoke to Deputy Mayor Bernier and a presentation she  
attended.  
Assemblymember Fonov spoke to working with the School Board and tax  
cuts.  
Ms. McKechnie noted the Assembly has until 5 p.m. to reconsider the  
budget adoption and that upcoming budget meetings will stay scheduled  
until the reconsideration period closes.  
Mr. Brown thanked the Finance Department for their work on the budget.  
Assemblymember Bernier thanked everyone and spoke to the School  
District and Valley Transit advertising. Said a prayer.  
IX. ADJOURNMENT  
The meeting adjourned at 10:57 p.m.