Fiscal Responsibilty

My Plan to Champion Fiscal Responsibility in the Kenai Peninsula Borough

As a conservative, I’m committed to bringing fiscal responsibility to our borough without raising taxes or growing our budget. Alaskans know how to stretch a dollar, and with federal spending under scrutiny, we can adapt those lessons to fit the Peninsula. The Assembly oversees a budget topping $100 million—covering schools, roads, and services—and I’ll ensure every cent delivers for you. Here’s my plan, drawing from national efficiency efforts and tailored to our local reality.

Trimming Waste Without Hitting Essentials

Federal efforts have highlighted billions in savings by cutting non-essential costs and overlap. I’ll push for a close look at our borough budget to find similar efficiencies. Take legal services: in FY 2021, the borough spent $1.48 million on outside counsel and consultants, per the KPB Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), page 38. Could consolidating contracts or relying more on in-house staff—like our borough attorney—shave off $200,000? No new funds, just tighter management. If we trim excess like this, we’ll shift savings to priorities like schools or emergency services, keeping essentials strong.

Freezing Hiring to Force Efficiency

A national hiring pause has shown agencies can streamline with less staff. I’ll push for a borough hiring freeze—except for critical roles like firefighters or teachers—to test where we can lean out. Payroll’s a major expense; if work holds steady with vacancies, we don’t refill them. Savings could fix roads in Nikiski instead of adding office jobs in Soldotna. It’s about proving we can do more with what we have.

Leveraging Assets, Not Taxes

Federally, underused properties are being shed to cut costs. We’ve got idle borough land. I’ll propose strategically selling or leasing these to private developers for revenue, with terms that benefit residents—like housing or small business sites. No tax hikes—just making our assets work. If national leaders can rethink property use, we can turn ours into cash flow, lightening the load on property owners.

Recycling Resources, Not Wallets

Federal reviews found overpayment for unused supplies—software licenses sitting idle. We’re guilty too: new textbooks ordered when last year’s sit unused, equipment replaced when repairs would do. I’ll urge the borough to reuse what we’ve got—desks, books, even plows. Stretch current dollars further, no new taxes.

Why I’m In This—and Why I’m Your Guy

Fiscal responsibility isn’t optional—it’s our backbone. With federal debt climbing, we can’t afford local waste. Our budget’s smaller, but the principle holds: live within our means. I’ll press for efficiency from day one, targeting savings we can redirect to what counts. As a conservative, I believe government should serve, not strain. My plan—trimming fat, leveraging assets, reusing resources—keeps the Peninsula thriving, not just scraping by.

If elected, I’ll fight for every dollar on the Assembly, listening to you and making fiscal responsibility our strength. Vote for me on Oct 7, and let’s secure our future without taxing you more.