JULY 10, 2012 SPECIAL MEETING

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

Special Meeting

July 10, 2012

 

A special meeting of the Ward County Commission was called to order by Chairman Fjeldahl at 9:00 a.m. with Comms. Gruenberg, Christianson, Erickson & Nybakken present.  Also present were Don Davidson of DLA Architects, States Attorney Roza Larson and Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad. Citizen Committee members also present were: Molla Romine and Al Hanson. 

 

Comm. Gruenberg and Christianson advised they have a meeting with Minot Daily News on July 10, 2012 at 2 p.m. to discuss parking and building options. 

 

Davidson appeared and advised he still has not been able to get a response from MDU regarding the MDU Substation Structure relocation options. 

 

Davidson provided high level cost estimates for each of the following projects; new building with library (17.8 million – 75000 sq ft); renovation (3.5 million); and jail expansion and remodel (10.5 million – 67000 sq ft). Davidson’s next step is to firm up the numbers for each phase of the project. Comm. Christianson advised that we would not go with the parking ramp due to the cost. 

 

District Court Carolyn Probst appeared and asked if the design of the courthouse had been finalized as she would like some input on the design.

 

Smestad appeared and reviewed the preliminary information assembled by Myron Knutson from PFM Group based on the idea of a ½ cent sales tax. Mr. Knutson projected the sales tax revenue bond schedule would start in 2013 and last until April 2020.    

 

Larson appeared and advised that she has started working on the wording for the November ballot.  Smestad advised wording would have to be completed by the end of August. 

 

Comm. Fjeldahl suggested Ward County consider increasing the ½ cent sales tax another ½ cent to ensure Ward County’s financial responsibility in the repair of flood roads and changes to the dike from the 2011 flood are raised in the event FEMA does not grant federal funds for these items.    

 

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, July 24^th at 9:00 a.m.

 

At 10:35 a.m., the meeting was adjourned.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 17th DAY OF JULY, 2012.  

s/ John Fjeldahl –Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

ATTEST: s/ Devra Smestad - Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County