Government

Leaders from the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska, the Ounalashka Corp., and the City of Unalaska met last week to renew their pledge to work together. The organizations formally joined forces in 2020 when they signed a trilateral agreement to secure a contract with the military to evaluate the city’s infrastructure needs.

The City Council voted 6-0 Tuesday to hire Bil Homka. The former Unalaska planning director has worked as assistant city manager since the fall, and has served in the role of acting city manager several times.

Crowds of Unalaskans gathered Sunday to celebrate the grand opening of the newly expanded Unalaska Public Library. “It’s an investment by the community in itself, really,” said City Librarian Karen Kresh. “And a statement of confidence in the future of this community — that we’re still going to be here for the next 25 years."

The Unalaska Public Library will reopen this weekend, more than a year after it closed for a long-awaited renovation and expansion. The library will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration Sunday, April 30, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Unalaska’s schools and nonprofits will receive the city’s full financial support in fiscal year 2024. On Tuesday, the City Council voted 4-0 to grant the Unalaska City School District’s nearly $5.5 million funding request, along with fully funding seven organizations through the Community Support grant program.

The Unalaska City School District has asked the city to increase its contribution to local public schools in fiscal year 2024, including dedicating $140,000 in new funding for student activities. Superintendent Jim Wilson made the nearly $5.5 million request to the City Council this month. Meanwhile, councilors are also weighing funding for the Community Support program, which awards grants to local nonprofits. Eight organizations have requested a total of $1.5 million.

The City of Unalaska is facing a nearly $7 million deficit under the operating budget proposed for fiscal year 2024. Officials said costs are up significantly in a number of areas the city can’t control, including staff pay increases that have already been negotiated and higher prices for airfare, electricity, and heating oil.

Starting next year, seniors in Unalaska will be eligible for a bigger sales tax refund from the city: $400, up from $200.

Jim Hunt said he applied for the Unalaska job because of the potential for exciting projects and problem-solving. He said he considers it the “best opportunity in Alaska,” highlighting the island’s status as a top port for fisheries and calling it an “economic engine to the world.”

The City Council expressed unanimous support last month for raising the senior refund from $200 to $400. “The cost of living going up, the cost of airfare — just everything has put a real burden on our senior citizens,” said Councilor Daneen Looby. “And I feel like they don’t have a means to increase their income, like the younger generation does.”