The motion to publish a request for additional proposals passed in a 6-1 vote at the end of the three-hour special meeting, which was attended by roughly 60 community members. Several individuals testified about the need for additional town hall meetings to foster greater public engagement during the discussions.
Hospital officials received three proposals regarding the hospital’s future thus far. Juneau-based SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, which initially proposed a merger agreement with the hospital, offered to purchase the community hospital in May for $6.5 million upfront and $600,000 each year in exchange for a five-year lease of the building.
When asked about the assembly’s motion to request additional proposals, SEARHC COO Dan Neumeister said he encourages the city to “go forward with the process … It seems to me a prudent way to preserve all options,” the report states.
Sitka Community Hospital officials commissioned a consulting firm to conduct a study and subsequently submitted a proposal outlining recommended cost-cutting measures and other improvements the hospital could make to operate as a standalone facility.
A Sitka-area business owner also revealed plans to submit a proposal to purchase or lease the facility.
Discussions regarding the community hospital’s future began roughly a year and a half ago.
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