On the agenda for the regularly scheduled meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly tonight is an ordinance aimed at changing the boundary of the central and southern hospital service areas.
Assembly Vice President Brent Johnson, who represents District 7, Central, says he proposed the change because he believes the current boundary, which was established in 1969, is unfair to taxpayers in his district.
The assembly will hear testimony on the ordinance and could take a vote tonight, deciding whether the issue will go before voters on the fall ballot.
Johnson says many people testified on the ordinance at a meeting on June 16, asking the assembly to move the boundary south of Ninilchik.
In addition, Johnson says he has heard from South Peninsula Hospital officials and from employees at the Ninilchik Traditional Council Community Clinic.
They say moving the boundary too far south could take the clinic out of South Peninsula Hospital’s service area, severing the relationship they have worked years to build and affecting patient care.
In addition, the assembly will hear testimony and could also vote on another ordinance proposed by Johnson.
The ordinance would reduce Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission membership from 13 to nine by eliminating the requirement that borough cities have individual representatives on the commission.
Under Johnson’s proposal, Homer’s commission seat would be combined with Seldovia’s, and Kenai’s combined with Soldotna’s. In addition, two regional seats will be eliminated.
The regular meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly begins at 6 p.m. today in assembly chambers at the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building in Soldotna.
