Assembly District 2 candidates share views

  • Tuesday, September 26, 2017 9:45am
  • Opinion

Duane Bannock and Hal Smalley are running for the Assembly District 2-Kenai seat.

1. What experience will you draw on in evaluating the borough’s $80 million budget?

Duane Bannock, District 2: My work experience includes time the KPB Mayor’s Office working with department and Service Area heads in preparation of their budgets and assisting in their presentation to the Assembly. Also, as a Kenai City Councilmember, I have been a part of the budget approval process and as a State of Alaska division director, I actively participated in the creation of the annual budget before presenting it to my administration supervisors (Commissioner’s office) and to the Alaska Legislative Finance sub-committees. Perhaps even more importantly, my practical budgeting experience comes as a homeowner that has leaned that you simply cannot spend more than you earn.

Hal Smalley, District 2: I have served on the Assembly before and I bring my record of always doing my homework. That includes seeking input from administration, department supervisors, the public and dialogue with assembly members. I understand the importance of budget history and projections for the future. I also have participated in creating priority project lists for both state and national funding. I have demonstrated a willingness to work with the rest of the assembly members to search out areas of common concern and interest to find solutions. We can only do this by working together.

2. Do you think the borough provides an adequate level of services?

Bannock: Adequate is an excellent description of the services provided by the KPB.

However, these services can be improved on! The Solid Waste Department is an area that can improved from ‘adequate’ to ‘OUTSTANDING!’ For decades, both the Central Peninsula Landfill as well as the many Transfer Station Site locations were available to the public seven days per week all year. Today, citing ‘budget-cuts’ both are now closed on Sundays for six months out of the year. Sadly, the cost to the 2017 budget still increased, even after cutting the service provided.

Smalley: With our three areas of responsibility the Borough has a big job: school funding, solid waste management and facilities, and construction and maintenance of roads. Service areas add complexity, but are proposed by residents in those areas and financed through self-imposed mill rates. At this point in time, I don’t see a need for increased services.

3. Has the borough struck the right balance between property tax, sales tax and other revenue sources? Are there changes you would propose?

Bannock: Both Sales &Property tax revenues are direct reflections of our local economy. Right now, while sales are down (and subsequent revenue derived) home and property values seem to mysteriously increase leading to greater revenue to the KPB. My goal as an Assembly member is to maintain consistency in the mil levy as well as sales tax rate and its respective parameters.

Smalley: Over the years, the borough has worked to provide the right balance, however; with the difficult times and financial shortages, the borough has had to borrow from its fund balance/budget reserve to balance the budget. This process is not sustainable. The borough needs to consider finding new revenues, looking to additional budget cuts/adjustments and even potentially combining some departments. Several factors will determine the amount of money needed to balance this coming year’s budget. Proposition 3 is a ballot measure which would change the sales tax cap – to $1000 from the existing $500 that was established in 1965, more than 50 years ago. This alone would generate around $3,000,000. If a single purchase is at the $1000 level, the sales tax increase would be an additional $30.00. Public input and current financial information will be critical to solving budget issues. The results of the vote on Proposition 3 will help us plan.

4. What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the borough in the next three years?

Bannock: Annual budget deficit and more debt are my top concerns. Today, our budget will draw on saving to fill a $4.0 million hole. The good news is: we have that much in our saving account and, even after that draw, our ‘fund-balance’ remains at its recommended level (~$18.0 million). However, with Preposition 2 asking to borrow up to $5.0 million more and Proposition 3 asking voters to pay up to $5.0 million more in sales tax, I’m in this race to be elected with cost-cutting as a viable alternative.

Smalley: Economic Development: Tourism and small business development bolster our economy and can use strengthening. The borough also needs to continue addressing the issue of a North Slope gas pipeline with terminus on the peninsula.

Education Funding: Continuing discussions are important between the school district and the borough concerning our joint goal of providing high quality educational programming. As a borough, we need to look at potential additional revenues sources to help fund our share of educational costs, while the school district should be encouraged to continue to develop and implement innovative cost saving mechanisms. Our children are our present and future.

KPB Budget: The assembly has its work cut out for it as we work to find ways to balance the budget in an equitable and sustainable manner with the guidance of our citizens and administration. There are no simple fixes because each part of the budget is important to its shareholders.

More in Opinion

This screenshot of an Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation map of PFAS sites in Alaska shows that contamination from so-called “forever chemicals” is observable throughout the state. (Screenshot | Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation)
Opinion: More action must be taken on PFAS

Toxic forever chemicals present in high concentrations in Nikishka Bay Utility Water Supply

Logo courtesy of League of Women Voters.
League of Women Voters of Alaska: Join us in calling for campaign finance limits

The involvement of money in our elections is a huge barrier for everyday Alaskans who run for public office

Promise garden flowers are assembled for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Let’s keep momentum in the fight against Alzheimer’s

It’s time to reauthorize these bills to keep up our momentum in the fight to end Alzheimer’s and all other types of Dementia.

Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., questions Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Sept. 14 on Capitol Hill.
Opinion: Music to the ears of America’s adversaries

Russia and China have interest in seeing America’s democracy and standing in the world weakened

Dr. Sarah Spencer. (Photo by Maureen Todd and courtesy of Dr. Sarah Spencer)
Opinion: Alaskans needs better access to addiction treatment. Telehealth can help.

I have witnessed firsthand the struggles patients face in accessing addiction care

Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Need for accounting and legislative oversight of the permanent fund

There is a growing threat to the permanent fund, and it is coming from the trustees themselves

(Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Imagine the cost of health and happiness if set by prescription drug companies

If you didn’t have heartburn before seeing the price, you will soon — and that requires another prescription

Mike Arnold testifies in opposition to the use of calcium chloride by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities on Kenai Peninsula roads during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Votes: Civic actions that carried weight

Watching an impressive display of testimony, going to an event, or one post, can help so many people learn about something they were not even aware of

The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Helicopter fishing a detriment to fish and fishers

Proposal would prohibit helicopter transport for anglers on southern peninsula

The cover of the October 2023 edition of Alaska Economic Trends magazine, a product of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. (Image via department website)
Dunleavy administration’s muzzling of teacher pay report is troubling

Alaska Economic Trends is recognized both in Alaska and nationally as an essential tool for understanding Alaska’s unique economy

Image via weseeyou.community
5 tips for creating a culture of caring in our high schools

Our message: No matter what challenges you’re facing, we see you. We support you. And we’re here for you.

The Alaska State Capitol is photographed in Juneau, Alaska. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Vance’s bill misguided approach to Middle East crisis

In arguing for her legislation, Vance offers a simplistic, one-dimensional understanding of the conflict