Finance committee votes to recommend purchase of recreation center van, cap set at $40,000

The Skagway Municipality finance committee on Dec. 17 voted to recommend purchasing a recreation center program van at a cost not to exceed $40,000, using $10,000 from remaining FY25 capital outlay funds and two special-fund accounts noted in the meeting packet.

Manager Emily Deach told the committee the FY25 capital outlay balance remained because planned purchases for outdoor recreation (a Connex and a snowblower) were completed with FY24 funds and the community garden’s tools were donated, leaving the FY25 allocation available. "So what we had planned to use the funding for got taken care of in other ways, so we have that funding available," Deach said.

The committee discussed procurement safeguards and vehicle condition before approving the recommendation. Assembly member Deb Potter raised concerns about the low advertised prices and asked whether the municipality could verify the vans’ mechanical condition and tires before purchase. "Do you still get the opportunity to test drive it? Do we know about the conditions of the tires…?" Potter asked.

Jason, who responded to packet questions and spoke about program needs, said the committee was targeting vans under 100,000 miles and with 15-passenger capacity so the powertrain would be relatively reliable. He outlined two primary program uses: transporting youth when weather makes walking unsafe and expanding senior-program excursions. "First, youth programs… Second, the senior program… [it] would be nice to be able to break up the monotony," Jason said.

Committee members reviewed four advertised listings and compared mileage and apparent condition. One committee member, Dan, recommended a lower-priced option that would likely remain under budget after adding a set of winter tires. He noted many of the listings appeared to be rental-vehicle disposals (Enterprise/Avis/Hertz) and suggested negotiating price and confirming condition before committing.

The group agreed buying a spare set of studded winter tires was prudent given local road and gravel conditions; members discussed whether tire costs should be included within the $40,000 cap or handled separately. Deach said she has approval authority for purchases under $5,000 and could authorize tires within that limit if needed. "Because the tires are going to be under my approval authority, under 5,000, that whatever happens… we can talk about where you have money available," Deach said.

The chair called for a voice vote on the motion to recommend approval to the full assembly. The committee voted in favor by voice and approved the recommendation.

The committee recorded no public comments on the item. No formal purchase was made at the meeting; the action approved was the finance committee’s recommendation to proceed with the purchase under the stated funding plan and constraints.