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Unexpected spring snowfall and an extended break-up season have stretched the borough's Road Service Area budget, according to Roads Director Gary Davis.

In a recent memo to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, Davis requested an additional appropriation of $200,000 to cover anticipated maintenance costs through the remainder of the fiscal year, which concludes on June 30. Also contributing to costs have been recent road maintenance contract increases.

"With the current extended spring break-up, dust control application expenses, and break-up repairs, all needing to be addressed in the remaining part of this fiscal year, it is prudent to request this supplemental funding," he told the assembly.

The Road Service Area fund balance is sufficient to cover the appropriation, Davis said.

Up for introduction at today's meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Seward is Ordinance 2007-19-46, which would make the necessary appropriation. If introduced, it would get a public hearing June 3.

In the first three quarters of FY 2008, the RSA spent a rough average of $213,000 per month, according to records.

The proposed FY 2009 budget now under consideration by the assembly would add $289,364 to the current budget, increasing expenditures toward roads to just over $5.18 million next year. That's lower than spending in FY 2007 by more than $54,000, however.

The $5.18 million includes $1.25 million needed to complete various capital improvements.

The RSA's fund balance, expected to be just over $2 million by the end of this fiscal year, could grow to about $2.12 million by the end of FY 2009, according to budget documents.

Hal Spence can be reached at hspence@ptialaska.net.