Opinion ID: 1131008
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Validity of Ordinance 91-18 Without Voter Approval

Text: McGahan argues that when the voters approved the exercise of power by the North Service Area to maintain roads, a compact arose between the people and the Borough. The voters approved a service area which provided for local control by an elected board. On the other hand, the new service area has an appointed board, does not provide for local control, and in fact encompasses three other service areas. The terms of the compact approved in 1981, and altered in 1985 after another vote, can only be changed if the voters approve it. The Alaska Constitution provides that service areas may be established, altered, or abolished by the assembly, subject to the provisions of law or charter. Alaska Const. Art. X, § 5. Alaska Statute 29.35.450(a) codifies this provision, restating that service areas may be established, operated, altered, or abolished by ordinance. Alaska Statutes and Borough ordinances require the Borough to seek voter approval to exercise a power for which the service area has been established. AS 29.35.490(a)(1); Kenai Peninsula Borough Ordinance (KPBO) 16.04.060 (1981). However, no voter approval is necessary to operate, alter or abolish a service area. Thus, Ordinance 91-18 is valid without voter approval if it is merely an alteration of existing service areas. The change from an elected to an appointed board is an alteration in the administration of the service area. The Assembly may provide for an elected or an appointed board, or no board at all. AS 29.35.460. Changing the method of the selection of the board is an alteration of the service area which does not require voter approval. Although consolidating four service areas into one is a more fundamental change, the same powers are being exercised within the same areas. The mayor and the Assembly still have final authority. KPBO 16.56.080, which provided for the powers and duties of the North Service Area board, is virtually identical to KPBO 16.41.070, which provides for the powers and duties of the new board. In each, the board's power to provide for improvement and maintenance of roads is subject to Assembly approval and appropriation of funds. Since the mayor and Assembly are exercising the same powers within the same geographical area and are subject to the same constraints with respect to approval and appropriation that existed before the alteration, voter approval is not required. Ordinance 91-18 is valid.