The city of Bismarck will have two new members on its five-member board of commissioners, and seven residents are vying to replace commissioners Dave Jensen and Sandi Tabor.

They announced early in the process they weren't seeking re-election.

Cheryl Fenster, Parrell Grossman, Jon Hunke, Keith Holzer, Kurt Schmidt, Mike Seminary and Vinod Seth are the choices Bismarck voters have when they go to the polls on June 10.

Bismarck residents will also vote on whether to spend city sales tax on a new north fire station and move forward on the Quiet Rail project.

The city commission candidates were asked for their comments on four areas of concern.

n Appropriate use of city sales tax revenues.

n Future of the Northern Plains Commerce Centre and the city's role.

n Expansion of the Bismarck Civic Center.

n Whether the four-mile extra-territorial zone, the area outside city limits which the city controls for development, should be reduced, expanded or remain the same.

Here are their responses.

Cheryl Fenster

Cheryl Fenster, making her first attempt at elected public office, is originally from Dickinson and moved to Bismarck in 1991 with her family. She has 30 years of experience as a business manager and business owner. She works as a travel consultant.

While the Bismarck sales tax was instituted to provide property tax relief, Fenster is not sure that goal has materialized.

"Our taxes are growing at an unprecedented rate. We need to be prudent in how we spend the funds that are collected," Fenster says. "We don't need to fund every proposed project just because funds are available. We need to look at the projects at hand, evaluate the benefits for the community and prioritize them."

With the infrastructure of the Northern Plains Commerce Centre in place, the city needs to support the entrepreneurial development of the center, according to Fenster, and recruitment is vital.

"I believe the success of the center is dependent on open communication," Fenster says. "The citizens need to know what is happening and how funds are being used and the benefits that are expected."

The feasibility study being conducted by Convention, Sports & Leisure International should reveal the appropriate course of action in considering improvements and expansion of the Civic Center, Fenster says.

"The results of the study will offer insight as to where funds could be used to best benefit our regional community and to ensure the financial success of the Civic Center."

Bismarck's need for planned and orderly growth is essential, Fenster says. City and county governing agencies need to work together toward a common goal.

"The city and county need zoning policies that compliment each other,"Fenster says. "Until the various governing agencies can work together for an orderly growth and planning policy, the need for some type of extra-territorial zone is needed."

Parrell Grossman

Parrell Grossman is making a second run for the Bismarck City Commission after serving for six years on the Bismarck School Board. Grossman is director of the attorney general's consumer protection and antitrust division.

City sales tax revenues should first be used for payment of infrastructure improvements such as roads, sewer and water, according Grossman, and for adding police stations and fire stations, etc.

"The availability of these funds substantially reduces the impact of property taxes. Without these funds, property taxes for infrastructure maintenance and new infrastructure would be staggering to property owners," Grossman says.

"A percentage of sales taxes could be used for projects that also benefit county residents. It, however, is appropriate that the percentages of city and county expenditures be in some proportion to the populations of each jurisdiction."

Grossman sees a lot of potential in the Northern Plains Commerce Centre and cites the Bobcat Inc. facility as an example of the role the NPCC can play by providing global transportation solutions.

"While the NPCC has significant potential, the city should be involved only for a limited duration," Grossman says. "The city should help develop the infrastructure and provide a funding mechanism for the center to get it through its initial stage until a permanent entity can assume ownership and operation. The city should not be in the long-term business of a commerce center."

Public input and the city-sponsored feasibility study should steer the need of a Civic Center expansion, according to Grossman.

"If the study indicates a positive feasibility, the city commission must consider whether the additional visitors and events will have a positive economic impact on the community in terms of hotels, restaurants, shopping, etc. and whether there are other benefits to community members in terms of use and enjoyment," Grossman says. "If the expansion is warranted and has public approval, it ultimately will be a question of what or whether Bismarck can afford the expansion and how it will pay for it."

The city should revisit its growth management plan, Grossman says, noting it hasn't been updated recently.

"It's important to have all the partners at the table in formulating a wise and equitable growth management plan," Grossman says. "Many Bismarck residents have family, friends and co-workers that reside outside Bismarck and we should try to balance the city's interests with their interests."

Keith Holzer

Keith Holzer is running for public office for the first time as a candidate for the Bismarck City Commission.

Holzer, a Bismarck native, is manager of Kelly Inn. He and his wife Leanne have two children.

City sales tax should be used to provide the infrastructure for city essential services such as law enforcement, fire protection, water and sewer, according to Holzer. He also agrees it can be used to provide economic incentives in an effort to attract business and industry to Bismarck.

"The Northern Plains Commerce Centre needs a new and more aggressive marketing plan," Holzer says.

He wants to see a return on the $20 million that the city has invested in putting together the NPCC infrastructure. Holzer wants to see a solid commitment prior to the city spending money on "these visions."

"We have to be more conservative when it comes to these visions of the 'build and they will come' attitude," he says.

Holzer could be in favor of Civic Center expansion, but first wants to see the feasibility study and assurances that the city is not in competition with private business. He also wants a review of fee structures to ensure the facility isn't losing valuable business.

"I would also look for better ways to use the facility which benefits the entire city," Holzer says.

The city's four-mile extra-territorial zoning authority gets Holzer's support. As the community grows, that growth must be planned and organized.

"The city and county need to come to a fair compromise that both sides can agree upon, while keeping the taxpayers' best interest in mind," Holzer says.

Equal representation needs to be addressed, according to Holzer. It's unfair that people living outside the city have no vote for those elected officials making decisions regarding their property and Holzer feels it's a fundamental right that needs to be returned.

Jon Hunke

Jon Hunke is a Bismarck native making his first attempt at elected public office. The city commission candidate is a member of the local Young Professionals Network who is employed by the Montana-Dakota Utilities Construction Services Group.

Bismarck's home rule charter provides guidance for the use of the 1 percent city sales tax, notes Hunke. Proceeds can be dedicated to capital improvements by a 60 percent majority vote. They also can be used for, but not limited to, debt retirement, water and sewer improvements, and an annual property tax reduction.

"An example of possible uses of city sales taxes, on the ballot this year are two items the voters will decide - whether to use sales tax dollars to assist in the construction of the north fire station and the quiet rail project," Hunke says.

The Northern Plains Commerce Centre is an example of governmental spending that has the opportunity to provide an economic impact for our community now and for the future, according to Hunke.

"While progress is being made, it will take time to finish the development of the NPCC," Hunke says. "The city has the land for sale as a shovel-ready site and now the property must continue to be aggressively marketed for sale to potential development groups."

Civic Center expansion, making it a joint use facility, is important for a community that is growing, Hunke says.

"It's refreshing to see the city waiting for the results of the feasibility study being performed and public input before proceeding with some of the approved capital expenditure items," he says. "This is a great example of proper spending techniques that should be done by all governmental agencies."

It's important for Bismarck to maintain its extra-territorial authority as the legal boundaries are monitored, according to Hunke.

"Policy must be enforced so that compliance is in place as the city grows," Hunke says.

Kurt Schmidt

Kurt Schmidt is a first-timer running for elected public office.

A member of the National Guard, he served in Desert Storm in the military police. Schmidt is a graduate of the University of Mary and following jobs with the North Dakota Highway Patrol and state's judicial system, he is now technology director at Capital Credit Union.

Property taxes are too high, in Schmidt's estimation, and he says sales tax funds should be used to help reduce the property tax burden.

"Once an appropriate amount is set aside to reduce property taxes, I believe the sales tax funds should be used to help with special projects as they arise," he says. "I do not believe the sales tax dollars should be used as the major source of funding for basic services that a city government is responsible for providing."

Schmidt does not support the city's effort in the Northern Plains Commerce Centre and feels it would have been better off if taken on by the private sector.

He doesn't think government should be competing with the private sector in this type of enterprise. Schmidt wishes the city had taken more of a support role by providing incentives for private business to create the NPCC.

"It's too late for that. Given the current status of the facility - partially complete, partially operational - I think the commission should revisit the project plan; measure status to goals and assuming things are reasonably on track, the commission should proceed carefully with the plan while looking for a successful way out of the venture,"Schmidt says. "Additional funds should not be poured into this project until some return can be seen and until some tenants are found."

In regard to Civic Center expansion, Schmidt maintains the city should not be getting into the hotel business, water park business or catering business.

"If a hotel chain wants to open a hotel, it should be a competitive process run by the private sector. Tax dollars should not be involved. Incentives may be provided," he says.

Rather than putting resources into an aging building, Schmidt wants to see Bismarck and Mandan work together in creating an events center.

The extra-territorial zone authority should be reduced, according to Schmidt.

"I think that forcing someone outside city limits to abide by the rules of the city government, when they have no voice in the government, is essentially taxation without representation," Schmidt says.

The city needs to work closely with the county and townships to develop zoning and "growth plans" that meet everyone's needs, he feels.

"The city should look for a way to entice and encourage people to buy, renovate and/or rebuild homes in areas of the city that are struggling to find buyers," Schmidt says.

Mike Seminary

Mike Seminary, originally from Fargo, has lived in Bismarck for 23 years. For the past five years he's worked for Kadrmas, Lee, & Jackson Inc. as marketing director. It is his first attempt at running for Bismarck City Commission, third for a public office.

In Seminary's estimation, city sales taxes should be use in a responsible manner to:

n Provide a broad array of infrastructure for this community and its repair and maintenance.

n Create recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

n Create and sustain appropriate first responder, fire and police protections.

n And provide for a method to generate educational and economic opportunities for residents.

Bismarck's future is bright, according to Seminary, and the Northern Plains Commerce Centre will play a part by providing global distribution opportunities for Bismarck and all communities within a 200-plus mile radius. The NPCC will generate significant well-paying job opportunities for Bismarck.

"The NPCC will connect us to important global trading markets," Seminary says. "Bismarck should encourage and facilitate additional private development and secure the capabilities of the most qualified trans-loading center operator and marketer."

If the recently commissioned market study for the Civic Center indicates there is sound reasoning for expansion, which is part of the original long-range plan, and the funds to complete this expansion do not create a hardship on Bismarck residents, it should move forward, according to Seminary.

"We have a very successful and professional destination hotel operator willing to invest $35 million of its own money into our city, and hopefully we will not lose them to a competing market," he says.

Seminary points out that Bismarck is one of a handful of North Dakota communities that is growing and says the four-mile extra-territorial zoning is necessary.

"For the most part, people come here because of our quality of life and the educational and employment opportunities Bismarck provides," Seminary says. "At our current growth rate and with proper planning, the current four-mile zone provides an adequate buffer."

Dr. Vinod Seth

Dr. Vinod Seth is making a second run for the Bismarck City Commission. Originally from India, he moved to the U.S. in 1971 and to Bismarck in 1989. He and his wife, Aruna, have raised three children in Bismarck.

Seth says the city sales tax revenues should be used wisely, with a primary goal of improving the lives of the people of Bismarck now and for generations to come.

"Public input, sought respectfully, from a broad cross-section of citizens would serve to guide the city leadership," he says.

The creation of the Northern Plains Commerce Centre is a bold move, according to Seth, in an effort to create long-term wealth and good jobs, while at the same preserving the 1,100 Bobcat Inc. jobs.

"Yes, a substantial amount of our money has been spent and the dollar return, so far, leaves a lot to be desired," he says. "Our continued ownership of the NPCC should be looked at in the longer term, much like we North Dakotans now proudly look at our state's ownership of the Bank of North Dakota and the state mill, from an earlier era of forward-looking thinking. We need to be patient and allow this investment to mature.

The Civic Center is critical to the quality of life in Bismarck and a major driver of economic development for the city, Seth says.

"In 2009 it is expected that Civic Center bonds can be refinanced to allow $7.5 million in funding. By 2013, a major part of the Civic Center bonds are expected to be paid off," Seth says. "Expanding the Civic Center would be a smart use of city monies and a look to the future of Bismarck."

Seth calls Bismarck's four-mile extra-territorial zone indispensable for orderly development.

"Metropolitan areas around our nation have historically done best whenever the city and the surrounding county have worked as a unit, closely aligned on strategic planning and their future together," Seth says. "The city of Bismarck and Burleigh County are no exception. Careful thought to the evolving needs of our rapidly growing metropolis could necessitate an expansion."