The Bismarck Park Board made its television debut Thursday, appearing on Community Access Television for the first time and approving the second reading and final adoption of the 2008 budget.

No changes were made to the preliminary budget, which was approved last month. Parks Director Steve Neu said that the park district's office did not receive any requests for information during the interim, and no comments or questions were received during the publication period. The budget information was made available on the park district's Web site.

The district's total expense budget for 2008 is $12,868,700, which is being balanced by the revenue budget, set at $12,871,475. The district will levy 38.65 mills, down .12 mills from last year, which will raise an estimated $3,478,500 from property taxes, approximately 41 percent of its total revenue. A total of $629,250 will be realized by state aid/replacement, and $4,433,725, or 52 percent of the budget, from district- generated revenues.

Operating funds will grow by 4.6 percent. The largest share, 48.3 percent or $4,125,300 of the general fund, will go to wages and salaries. The district will provide 4.6 percent salary performance increases in 2008 for full-time employees. This past year, the district spent some $2.4 million for 900 part-time laborers, who provided 200,000 hours. The budget includes one additional full-time employee.

The district also increased its matching grant program budget from $50,000 annually to $75,000. Neu estimated that for every dollar spent by the program, $2 was provided by project sponsors.

The only dissent to the budget was provided by board member Paul Quist, who voted against adoption.

Quist said he would rather see increases in program fees, instead of property tax increases.

"Of course, we can't increase fees too much as to exclude anyone. But we have to find a happy medium of those fees and property taxes," Quist said.

The other board members agreed that fees and leases will have to be reviewed before the next budget. Board member John Sagsveen said the current balance of taxes and fees is a good mix, but he is willing to review the fee structure.

Board member Jennifer DeForest said she gets just as many complaints about program fees as she does about increased taxes. DeForest said she believes the after-school program and golf course fees are at their limit now.

The budget is a response to the community's growth, DeForest said, and as Bismarck grows people should expect the budget will too.

The park district did not receive offsetting money this past year, board member Mike Gilbertson said.

"I, too, have talked to people who have experienced displeasure over increased fees. Over 50 percent of our budget comes from revenue generation; that's where we need to be," Gilbertson said,

On a 4-1 vote, the board approved the 2008 budget and the second reading of the budget and resolution for the mill levy.