Kenai City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved the city’s annual budget for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1.
During the June 5 meeting, the budget ordinance was passed largely without discussion following a flurry of amendments — all also passed unanimously — that added extra funding for the Central Area Rural Transit System, radio advertising, a veteran’s columbarium in the new area of the Kenai Cemetery and provided raises and qualification pay for certain emergency services staff.
City council members also amended the budget to reduce their funding for the Kenai Watershed Forum and the city’s Storefront & Streetscape Improvement Program.
After a final amendment to adjust the budget for all the evening’s changes, the ordinance passed with all six council members in favor.
The final budget is effective from July 1 to June 30, 2025. A draft of the document says that the city expects to bring in around $19.5 million in the next year, and spend $20.2 million. Around $761,000 is allocated to capital projects.
The document says the city has around $37 million in all funds, with $17 million allocated across a variety of funds and $20 million in the general fund. A further $4.5 million is committed to the Unassigned General Fund and fund balance “for future renovations and improvements to city facilities.”
The draft budget also says that the city’s mill rate of 4.35 and its 6% sales tax will remain flat for the next fiscal year.
The full budget document and a recording of the June 5 meeting can be found at kenai.city.
This story was edited on Wednesday to correct details of the veteran’s columbarium set for the Kenai Cemetery.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
