MAT-SU—The Assembly adopted the Borough's budget for next year last night, May 8. The mill rate is lower than last year at 9.918. The non-areawide mill rate is 0.489. By Wednesday afternoon Assemblymember Ron Arvin asked to reconsider the budget in order to increase the "reduction in the mill levy without cutting departmental budgets or reductions in services to the Borough residents," his motion states. Mayor DeVilbiss can make vetoes on the budget.

MAT-SU—After one night of deliberating the proposed budget, Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assemblymembers adopted 11 amendments ranging from addressing the high turnover for emergency responders to lowering the tax rates for some of the Borough’s 16 road service areas and eight fire service areas. More work continues tonight.

MAT-SU—A variety of speakers testified last night (May 2) before the Assembly of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough as it considers the proposed $393 million budget. Another hearing is scheduled tonight at the Central Mat-Su Public Safety Building.

Mat-Su– Thursday, April 19 Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Larry DeVilbiss with Assembly Member Jim Colver at his side, signed Title 43 into law. The new subdivision regulations will simplify the process for developing land, helping stimulate development in the Mat-Su, DeVilbiss and Colver said.

MAT-SU—In a push to catch up with tremendous growth, Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly members presented transportation and tourism infrastructure projects as priorities to the Mat-Su legislative delegation Monday. The top funding requests include $60 million for Port MacKenzie Rail and $32 million to match taxpayer dollars on voter-approved road bonds.

The $60 million will build two more segments of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension, bringing the project funding to two-thirds of the entire rail embankment from the port to Houston. The 11 road projects in the 2011 Road Bond Package will further develop the Borough’s connector and arterial road network.

MAT-SU—Steve Colligan took the oath of office Tues. night, becoming an Assemblymember for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough representing District 4, Wasilla. Colligan will take the seat on Oct. 24. The Assembly also certified the election and said goodbye to departing Assemblymember Cindy Bettine who served six years and reached term limits.

MAT-SU—In a 5 to 2 decision, the Assembly for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough voted to override Mayor Larry DeVilbiss’ veto of the proposed $32 million transportation bonds.

MAT-SU—A school bond package that addresses student population growth and aging schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough was adopted last night (Aug. 9) by the Borough Assembly, and will be placed on the ballot for the Oct. 4 election.

MAT-SU—A ballot question on towers, a delayed sewer-and-water-rate increase, new land for West Lakes Fire are among the items that were considered by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly Tues. July 19.

MAT-SU – Finalizing the budget last night, Mayor Larry DeVilbiss vetoed 13 line items. After approximately five hours of discussion with the Assembly, five vetoes remain. The cuts in the proposed Borough Budget will result in real tax savings to Borough residents.

MAT-SU—Six full-time paramedics, a snowmachine trailhead at Hatcher Pass, a consultant for port development, a lower areawide mill rate and a rebate for Mat-Su taxpayers are part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough budget of $375,490,644 that passed last night. Of this, the School District receives $259 million—$48,347,365 from local taxpayers.