2003-25 Incorporation of Four Unorganized AreasKODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
RESOLUTION NO. 2003 -25
Introduced by: Assemblymember Razo
Requested by: Assemblymember Razo
Drafted by: Alaska Municipal League
Introduced: 09/04/2003
Adopted: 09/04/2003
A RESOLUTION OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH ASSEMBLY
SUPPORTING AND RECOMMENDING ADOPTION OF SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION 12 REQUIRING THAT THE LOCAL BOUNDARY COMMISSION
CONSIDER BOROUGH INCORPORATION FOR FOUR OF THE UNORGANIZED
AREAS DETERMINED TO MEET BOROUGH INCORPORATION STANDARDS.
WHEREAS, Article X, Section 1 of the Constitution of the State of Alaska encourages
the formation of borough governments encompassing large, natural regions; and
WHEREAS, the Alaska State Legislature has a duty under Article X, Section 3 of the
Constitution of the State of Alaska to establish fundamental State policy regarding the
formation of organized boroughs; and
WHEREAS, the initial State policy for borough formation was establish by the
Borough Act of 1961, which provided for the formation of boroughs through a
voluntary "local option: process; and
WHEREAS, the voluntary "local option" process for borough incorporation was proven
to be ineffective, causing the 1963 Alaska State Legislature to mandate the formation
of boroughs encompassing 80% of Alaskans; and
WHEREAS, following the implementation of the 1963 Mandatory Borough act, the
State of Alaska inexplicably reverted for the past four decades to the generally
ineffectual policy of forming boroughs through voluntary means; and
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska imposes significant duties and financial obligations on
organized boroughs and home rule or first class cities in the unorganized borough, but
does not do so for the remainder of Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the significant financial obligations imposed by the State on organized
boroughs and home rule or first class cities in the unorganized borough are, in effect,
a $165 million annual State tax levied selectively on the areas noted; and
WHEREAS, there is no reasonable basis, such as fiscal or administrative capacity, for
the disparate treatment of Alaskans who live in organized boroughs and home rule or
first class cities in the unorganized borough in comparison with the remainder of
Alaskans; and
Kodiak Island Borough Alaska Resolution No. 2003 -25
Page 1 of 2
WHEREAS, Article 1, Section 1 of the Constitution of the State of Alaska provides
that all persons are equal and entitled to equal rights, opportunities, and protection
under the law, and that all persons have corresponding obligations to the people and
to the state; and
WHEREAS, the Local Boundary Commission determined in its February 2003 report
entitled "Unorganized Areas of Alaska that Meet Borough Incorporation Standards"
that a number of unorganized regions currently meet standards for borough
incorporation; and
WHEREAS, Senate Concurrent Resolution 12 requires the Local Boundary Commission
to consider borough incorporation for four of the unorganized areas determined to meet
borough incorporation standards; and
WHEREAS, formation of boroughs promotes maximum local self - government, equity,
and fairness; and also relieves the State of the substantial burden of providing
fundamentally local services;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND
BOROUGH that the assembly supports Concurrent Resolution 12 and urges the Second
Session of the Twenty -Third Alaska State Legislature to pass SCR 12 and supports
Borough incorporation for the Upper Tanana Basin Model Borough, the Copper River
Basin Model Borough, the Glacier Bay Model Borough, and the Chatham Region Model
Borough.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK
ISLAND BOROUGH that the assembly supports amending SCR 12 to include the
Aleutians West Model Borough and the Prince William Sound Model Borough as
documented in the Local Boundary Commission's February 2003 report to the
Legislature.
ATTEST:
ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
THIS FOURTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2003
Judith A. Nielsen, cMc, Borough Clerk
Kodiak Island Borough Alaska
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
oa
Gabrielle LeDoux, Mayor
Resolution No. 2003 -25
Page 1 of 2