Alaska News

Dillingham annexation vote 'too close to call'

An unofficial vote count Tuesday put the tally of Dillingham voters in favor of annexing the Nushagak Bay commercial fishing waters ahead of those opposed by a little more than 50 votes, but 100 absentee ballots are yet to be counted, so the outcome of the contentious election is still unknown.

According to the Dillingham City Clerk's office, 353 people voted in favor of Prop. No. 1, which allowed for the city to annex the commercial fishing waters. Some 301 voted against the move. On the issue of levying a 2.5 percent raw fish tax, 352 people voted in favor, 302 against.

There were 115 absentee and questioned ballots yet to be counted, however, with a meeting of the canvassing committee scheduled for Thursday at 5 p.m.

In the weeks leading up to the annexation vote, opinions clashed about the proposed action, which would annex into the city of Dillingham nearly 400 square miles of commercial fishing waters and 3 square miles of land in the Nushagak Bay and part of Wood River. If approved, the city plans to levy a 2.5 percent fish tax, which should bring in about $700,000 per year based on recent figures.

The funds would boost the city's current operating budget by about 10 percent, city officials say, and help pay for infrastructure that supports the fishing industry, such as the harbor.

"I am encouraged by the vote and expect that the final count will be for 'yes,'" said Dillingham City Manager Dan Forster.

"Now we need to come together as a community and all work toward a better future for everyone."

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But opponents say with no revenue sharing to the other communities of the region, the annexation move is unfair. At a recent meeting, several area communities opposed to the annexation unveiled a study of a proposed borough, which would draw revenue funds from a raw fish tax between 4-5 percent as well as a bed tax. The say the borough, which would support activity throughout the region, would be far fairer than the proposed annexation.

City of Dillingham staff and council members, however, say the tax is fair, and needed to support the city infrastructure used by those fishing in the Nushagak Bay waters. The city got approval for the annexation months ago, but chose voluntarily to put the issue to a vote of the city. Residents outside the city limits, however, do not get a vote.

The election will be certified on April 19 at the Dillingham City Council meeting.

This article originally appeared in The Bristol Bay Times-Dutch Harbor Fisherman and is reprinted here with permission.

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