By Melinda Munson

Skagway voters will decide July 12 if what is believed to be the last municipality owned clinic in the nation will remain under the control of the borough or if the land, buildings, equipment and operation of Dahl Memorial Clinic will be sold to Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC).

The federally qualified health care facility, consisting of 14,531 square feet and located on a 34,497 square foot half-block business general zoned site, appraised for $9,500,000, not including contents.

The ballot question will read: Shall the Municipality of Skagway sell the Dahl Memorial Clinic real property, improvements, personal property, and financial assets to SEARHC for an amount no less than market value established by a qualified commercial appraiser? and shall Ordinance No. 22-03 authorizing this negotiated sale be approved?

SEARHC will visit town before the special election for two town halls – one on June 21 in Assembly Chambers and one July 11 at AB Hall. Both start at 7 p.m. Questions about the possible sale can be submitted prior to the town halls at skagwayquestions@searhc.org or 907-983-3168. For information about the non-profit organization, visit  https://searhc.org/community/skagway/. 

Hours for the July 12 vote are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee in-person voting is available at City Hall, June 27-July 11, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Absentee ballots by mail should be requested by July 5.

For more information contact the borough clerk at s.burnham@skagway.org, 907-983-9706  or visit https://www.skagway.org/clerksoffice/page/election-information.