State Commission Greenlights Establishment of New Borough Government in Northern Southeast Alaska • Alaska Beacon

A five-member state commission has approved plans for a new government centered around the town of Hoonah in Southeast Alaska. The proposed Xunaa Borough would be the state’s 20th and the first new borough since 2013. The approval sets the stage for a local election on the matter. If approved by voters, Hoonah would be dissolved and reincorporated as a city-borough with authority over a large area of northern Southeast Alaska.
The decision was made on a 3-2 vote by the Local Boundary Commission following lengthy technical discussions. The commission staff will now draft a report finalizing the recommendations, after which an election will be held. The new borough is expected to be approved by voters, as it excludes three neighboring communities Gustavus, Tenakee Springs, and Pelican, who have opposed it.
The borough’s operations would be funded by a local sales tax from Icy Strait Point, a large tourist cruise ship port near Hoonah. While commissioners Larry Wood and Clay Walker voted against the proposed borough, Commissioner Clayton Trotter supported it, saying it would create greater efficiencies. The commission also recommended that the new borough negotiate with the excluded communities for possible incorporation in the future.
Overall, the approval of the Xunaa Borough marks a significant step for the town of Hoonah and the surrounding area in Southeast Alaska, potentially leading to greater governance and economic opportunities in the region.

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