The City of Unalaska’s fiscal year 2013 operating and capital budgets were approved at Tuesday night’s Council meeting. Councilors only made one minor amendment during the meeting, adding $4,000 to a capital request from the senior center. The final operating budget is $24 million and the capital budget is $29 million.

The focus at the meeting wasn’t just on next year though. Finance Director Tonya Miller gave a presentation about how the city can fund some of the more than $50 million in capital projects that are coming up in the next three years. She detailed where existing money for the water, wastewaster and landfill projects has come from and presented future financing options to Council.

City Manager Chris Hladick added that it’s important to be proactive and decide how much the city should to cover the cost of the projects.

“Because we’re not a bottomless pit, as you’ll find out," he said.

Hladick recommended applying for $21 million in loans, with the expectation that more or less money might ultimately be needed.