Christmas is coming early. Well, at least the wish-list part.

With $19,604 available through the state's Community Revenue Sharing Program to municipalities, Native villages and unincorporated communities, residents of the unincorporated area outside Homer's city limits met at McNeil Canyon Elementary School Oct. 28, to discuss projects for that area. Three entities representing the unincorporated community of Diamond Ridge-Fritz Creek submitted projects for consideration:

* Kachemak Nordic Ski Club, represented by Alan Parks, trail improvements and maintenance;

* McNeil Canyon Elementary School, represented by Pete Swanson, ski trail improvements;

* Snomads, represented by David Mastolier, trail maintenance, clearing, marking, grooming and improving search and rescue capabilities.

There is still time to be considered, according to Brenda Ahlberg, community and fiscal project manager for the borough.

"They have until Friday to submit applications," Ahlberg said. "All the projects will be compiled and put before the assembly by resolution at the Dec. 1 meeting."

Criteria for being considered a community for the program includes a population of 25 or more people. The allocation can be awarded by the borough, school district, an IRA council, community council or nonprofit corporation. Services also are considered in the definition of an unincorporated community. It must provide at least three of the following:

* Fire protection;

* Emergency medical;

* Water and sewer;

* Solid waste management;

* Public road or ice road maintenance;

* Public health;

* Search and rescue.

Under that definition, the following qualified as unincorporated communities on the southern peninsula: Anchor Point, Diamond Ridge-Fritz Creek, Kachemak Selo, Nanwalek, Nikolaevsk, Ninilchik, Port Graham, Razdolna and Voznesenka.

Chairing the meeting was Mako Haggerty, who represents on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly areas of the southern peninsula excluding the city of Homer.

"There was a little bit of confusion about what area people lived in," Haggerty said of an unclear understanding of how the unincorporated communities were divided.

Although Haggerty said there was good attendance, he added, "I would have liked to see more (people) from the villages at the head of the bay because they're getting a piece of the action."

Revenue sharing was previously enjoyed by incorporated areas and unincorporated communities outside of organized boroughs.

"There were several of us that fought for making sure that it also included the unorganized communities within the boroughs, as well," said Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, of the change that happened two years ago.

The funds must be used for a public purpose and can include purchasing equipment or supplies, as well as operational costs for such things as fuel and utilities, according to information provided by Ahlberg. Funds can be held in reserve for a year, allowing a community to combine two year's funds for larger projects.

"This is actually a very good idea," Haggerty said. "It's something I really support because what has happened is that when the state did revenue sharing, it gave to cities and towns, incorporated areas.

"But there are communities throughout the state that aren't incorporated. Why should they be left out?"

Seaton had praise for the borough's management of the program.

"It has done a real tight job of putting forward the criteria, making sure all that's there and the reports are in," he said. "They're doing a good job of it."

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky.@homernews.com.