Fiscal stability, infrastructure and land development are among Wrangell's priorities for the near future.
But it will not be easy.
"I'm certain that this involves us purchasing a printing press and having a secret room where we come up with the funds we need to do what's necessary," Borough Manager Lisa Von Bargen said jokingly.
"As the state continues to face fiscal hardship, as we continue to get downward pressure in a number of different ways, and at the same time the cost of operations is going up, our list of infrastructure needs continues to grow, this fiscal stabilization plan is going to be extremely important," Von Bargen said.
The borough assembly held a workshop Jan. 26 to discuss the city's goals for 2021 and 2022. The discussion opened with plans for aiding the city's financial situation.
Among the priorities for "fiscal stabilization" listed in material for the workshop is the creation of a formal fiscal stabilization plan, creating a balanced Fiscal Year 2022 budget, and conducting rate studies for the city's enterprise funds that are supposed to be self-sufficient. This includes the harbor fund, electric fund and others, Von Bargen said.
Assembly Member Patty Gilbert suggested that the city add collecting on its accounts receivable and reducing bad debts to the priority list.
A "policy to prevent loss" would be a good addition, said Mayor Steve Prysunka. This would be to help make sure the city is protected against fraud, Von Bargen said. She also said improving efficiency in the city's business operations would help with loss prevention.
The manager also said another way to potentially save money is by making group purchases with local organizations.
Assembly Member David Powell said he wanted to make sure the city remained as local as possible when putting out bids, and to spend money locally.
"I want known that every dollar we spend in the city stays with the city," Powell said.
Infrastructure and land development were also major discussion points during the workshop. While not on the original list for review by the assembly, members discussed expansion of the city cemetery. It keeps getting put off, Gilbert said, and they need to make more room in the cemetery one of these days. There are nine plots left open, Borough Clerk Kim Lane said. However, some of these plots are not diggable, as they are full of boulders and stumps.
Von Bargen said the city may want to consider moving away from burials in Wrangell, and instead offer only columbarium internments after cremations. This was unrealistic, she admitted, as many people have religious or philosophical reasons for wanting their remains buried.
However, if the city were to treat its cemetery as an enterprise fund operation that had to pay its own way, she said, building new cemetery plots could cost tens of thousands of dollars each. Expansion would be a very expensive and lengthy process, she said, which given the city's financial situation could be difficult.
"I understand how important it is for people to have burial space, do not get me wrong," the manager said. "But when we're making choices about where to spend the very scant resources that we have, that's a tough pill to swallow."
Von Bargen later added that the city needs to purchase a new columbarium, as well.
Despite the potential cost, Prysunka asked Von Bargen to work with some assembly members to put together potential options for the cemetery. It will not be an easy discussion, he said, but the city cannot choose to do nothing. With some options and cost estimates, he said, they can at least look at the problem with their more data. They may want to also consider hiring a consultant to help the city make an informed decision, he also suggested.
Other development projects covered in the meeting include efforts to remove abandoned vehicles from Zarembo Island, development of the former Wrangell Institute boarding school property, and numerous improvements to the Public Safety Building, water system and other city properties.
As this was only a work session, the assembly took no formal action.
Other priorities covered in the workshop include negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which represents some city employees, strengthening the partnership between the city and the Wrangell Cooperative Association, and improving the borough's communication and transparency with the media and the public.
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