Borough Assembly passes budget, but the process is not over

The Mat-Su Borough Assembly passed a budget for the fiscal year beginning in July, but the process is not quite over, yet.

On Tuesday, the assembly met for three hours to discuss proposed amendments.  The focus of many assembly members was to reduce the mill rate in response to an increase in appraised property values throughout the borough as well as significant inflation in recent months.

There was broad support from the assembly for the cuts presented by borough staff, and this year saw fewer amendments than some recent budget cycles.   The final budget saw the areawide mill rate reduced by a little over ten percent, and the non-areawide mill rate decreased by a little under ten percent.

While the budget passed without objection on Tuesday, Borough Mayor Edna DeVries says a motion to reconsider has been filed.  That means the assembly will meet again on Thursday, and further changes might be made.  In addition, the mayor has veto power over budget line items. Mayor DeVries has until the next regular assembly meeting to declare any vetoes.