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, APRIL 30, 2026  
6:00 PM  
Budget Public Hearing  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
The special meeting of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly was held  
on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the Borough Assembly Chambers, 350 E.  
Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, Alaska. The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by  
Mayor Edna DeVries.  
II. ROLL CALL  
Gamble and McKee excused.  
Present: 5 - Assemblymember Michael Bowles, Assemblymember Stephanie  
Nowers, Assemblymember Maxwell Sumner, Assemblymember  
Dmitri Fonov, and Assemblymember Ron Bernier  
Excused: 2 - Assemblymember Dee McKee, and Assemblymember Bill Gamble  
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
The agenda was approved as presented without objection.  
IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The pledge of allegiance was led by Lonnie McKechnie, Borough Clerk.  
V. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (Three Minutes Per Person.)  
The following persons spoke in support of funding for public transit: Cody  
Prentice; Mary Wall; Brian Gearry; Ken Hills; Mitchell Forbes; Robert  
Walden, City of Wasilla Deputy Administrator; Rebecca Emerson; John  
Clennen; Zoltan Stersky; Kaylie Oposik, Valley Transit Dispatcher; James  
McCleese, Valley Transit Driver; Jennifer Bush, Valley Transit Executive  
Director; Sandra Kitchen; Dana Rafaniello; Molly Benson; Scott Elliard;  
Raven Amos; and Angie Spraker.  
The following person spoke in opposition to schools closing and to funding  
for public transit: Heather Merrill,  
The following person thanked the Assembly for their support of tourism:  
Casey Ressler.  
The following persons spoke to concerns of the adverse impacts to children  
if schools are closed: Riley Laws and Milly Laws.  
VI. ITEMS OF BUSINESS  
A. PUBLIC HEARING  
An Ordinance Appropriating Monies From The Central Treasury For The  
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.  
OR 26-026  
Ms. McKechnie read the legislation into the record.  
Mayor DeVries opened the public hearing.  
The following person spoke in support of the Manager's proposed  
budget, in support of funding for public transit, in support of libraries,  
and in support of Parks, trails, and public facilities: Michelle Huen.  
The following person spoke in support of full funding for the School  
District and to funding public transit: Mary Doerr.  
Assemblymember Bernier moved to continue Ordinance Serial  
No. 26-026 to May 7, 2026.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 5 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember Sumner, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
VII. MAYOR, ASSEMBLY, AND STAFF COMMENT  
Assemblymember Bowles requested that Valley Transit provide ridership  
data regarding the number of riders who are going to opioid treatment or  
other medical services.  
Assemblymember Bernier thanked everyone for attending. Said a prayer.  
Assemblymember Nowers noted that the Borough does not contract with  
Valley Transit and has no authority to direct its operations; however, the  
possibility exists for the Borough to provide funding to help meet  
community needs. She spoke to the challenges of securing reliable transit  
services and opined that, given low commuter bus ridership, that Anchorage  
commuter route could potentially be redirected to support on-demand  
riders. She further commented that a more cost-effective commuter model  
for travel to Anchorage may be feasible. Stated that she does not support  
closing any schools and opined that the community was blindsided by an  
announcement that should have been made well in advance, allowing time  
for public input and potential solutions. Thanked the public for attending.  
Assemblymember Bowles commented on the significant responsibility of  
ensuring public funds are spent appropriately to benefit all members of the  
Borough. He stated that serving as a member of the Assembly is a privilege.  
Assemblymember Fonov thanked the public for attending.  
VIII. ADJOURNMENT  
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.