Gov. Frank Murkowski has called for $500,000 for the Games in two high-priority state budget bills, but the Legislature won’t get to them until at least March 1. The proposed $500,000 from the borough would cover expenses incurred before the state money comes through — which is likely, but not guaranteed.
Several members of the assembly expressed concern over that uncertainty. Assem-bly member Milli Martin said the assembly already had appropriated $500,000 over three years to the Host Society.
“We promised the public it would not be more than that,” Martin said.
The measure will be open for public comment and assembly debate at the next meeting Feb. 21.
Host Society officials reported in December they expected to fall short of the amount needed to put on the Games, which begin March 5, by about $850,000. That news brought in sizable donations from individuals and corporations, and a promise from Murkowski to include a $500,000 appropriation in a supplemental budget bill, Senate Bill 232. But the supplemental bill is not likely to be passed by the Legislature until after the Games are completed.
“While some of the bills may be paid after the Games are over, most will be due before and during the Games,” Borough Mayor John Williams said in a Jan. 26 memo to the assembly accompanying the proposed borough appropriation measure which was introduced Tuesday.
Praising the efforts of the host society to raise the necessary funds, the money nevertheless is needed to stage the Games well, Williams said.
There is no assurance that the supplemental budget bill will be adopted with the $500,000 state appropriation intact. Williams recognized that fact in his memo to the assembly.
“It is important to recognize that although there appears to be strong support, funding from the state is not guaranteed until the funds are appropriated by the Legislature,” he said.
Over the course of three appropriation years, the borough has invested some $500,000 in cash plus some in-kind services in the Arctic Winter Games.
The host society has been successful in acquiring about $3 million in capital improvements for the Games through federal and state grants.
Alaska is a founding member of the Arctic Winter Games International Committee, has hosted the Games many times since its inception in 1970 and historically has contributed funding for their production.
The proposed $500,000 would come from the borough’s general fund.
John Hult and Hal Spence are reporters for the Peninsula Clarion.
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