A resolution encouraging the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s efforts to fill vacant positions will be discussed at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting Tuesday.
The resolution, introduced by assembly member Dale Bagley, notes 11 vacancies at the borough that are “increasingly impacting remaining personnel.”
“If the vacant positions are not filled, productivity and morale will worsen at the borough and there will likely be long term consequences,” the resolution said.
After Gov. Mike Dunleavy released his proposed budget in February, borough administration set a hiring freeze on all open positions “until it could identify how the state budget may impact the borough,” according to the resolution.
“While the assembly recognizes the need to be prudent with borough funds in light of Governor Dunleavey’s proposed substantial funding reductions to local governments, it appears the legislature may not support a large number of those reductions,” the resolution reads.
The resolution appears optimistic about the borough’s fiscal future, saying increases in sales tax revenues are expected to continue to improve the fiscal outlook and the comprehensive annual financial report “almost always shows the borough has done better fiscally then projected in the budget.”
The resolution does not provide details on the vacant positions. The assembly has no say in the hiring process, but the resolution provides confirmed support for Mayor Charlie Pierce to fill those positions “as soon as possible.”
