Juneau -- Residents of the Fairbanks area will have a chance to learn more about the state's long-range fiscal planning at an afternoon "Fiscal Planning Briefing" with elected leaders on Saturday, April 17. The briefing will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the East Gold Room of the Westmark Hotel on Nobel Street in Fairbanks.

Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Hank Hove, Senator Gary Wilken and Senator Pete Kelly are hosting the event to provide a framework for elected individuals to make specific fiscal recommendations that will assist the legislature in developing a balanced budget plan.

Senator Pete Kelly (R-Fairbanks) will begin with an explanation of total state revenues, expenditures and the state's general fund. Senator Gary Wilken (R-Fairbanks) will follow with a brief review of basic budget terms, and will give his view of the various components considered in long-term fiscal planning. Also invited to speak is Representative Gene Therriault (R-Fairbanks), co-chair of the House Finance Committee. He will discuss the current budget process and some of the challenges legislators face in trying to develop a plan.

In addition to the three legislators, Phil Okeson, Fiscal Analyst for Legislative Finance, will present an analysis of Alaska's Budget Deficit, and Ross Kinney, the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Revenue, will discuss components of fiscal plans. Finishing up the program is Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Hank Hove, who will discuss municipal budget issues.

The Fiscal Planning Budget Briefing is designed to inform area residents. While the public is invited and encouraged to attend, the briefing is not a public hearing and no public testimony will be taken.

For more information contact Nadine at the Mayor's office at 459-1300.