The Burleigh County Commission gave auditor-treasurer Kevin Glatt authority to hire a temporary deputy auditor who will act as auctioneer for the Feb. 4 public sale of county-owned Missouri Valley fairground property.

Glatt told commissioners that even though he had 20 years conducting land sales for those properties that are turned back to the county for taxes, he wasn't confident he would be the right person for the job.

"We've set a minimum price of $4.1 million and I'll be the first to admit I'm not an auctioneer. I'm concerned that if we have an active room of bidders I won't secure the highest and best price for a parcel," Glatt said.

Glatt had contacted a local auctioneer who was willing to handle the sale for no more than $1,000. The deputy auditor will not be appointed if there are a small number of bidders and the county won't have to pay him if none of the property is sold.

Anyone interested in bidding on the property needs to indicate their interest and meet with the county to determine their qualification by Friday.

Support of the zone

The Renaissance zone continues to be a point of contention at Bismarck City Commission meetings and it wouldn't take much of a change in the commission's makeup to put the program at jeopardy.

Commissioners Steve Schwab and Dave Jensen have been steadfast in their opposition to the zone which provides property and income tax incentives for private property owners to rehabilitate buildings in the downtown area.

Commissioners Sandi Tabor and Connie Sprynczynatyk strongly support the zone as does Mayor John Warford. Tabor chairs the Renaissance zone committee and several times has debated the issue with Schwab.

The zone commission is recommending a three-block expansion of the zone. The commission barely managed to push through a public hearing to consider the expansion on a 3-2 vote.

Interestingly enough, two seats on the commission are coming up for election this spring those of Jensen and Tabor. Jensen has already announced that he will not be seeking a sixth term, we're still waiting on Tabor's intentions.

With at least one new commissioner assured, you can expect a number of petitions will be circulating through the community. Should Tabor decide not to run, voters are bound to have all sorts of candidates to choose from.

At the last meeting of the Renaissance zone commission there were some concerns expressed that changes in the city commission could have some drastic impact on the future use of the program. I wouldn't doubt that those supporting the Renaissance zone have been trying to persuade Tabor to run one more time.

Making the rounds

Ulteig Engineering's Steve Windish has been making the rounds of late, hitting all the commission meetings on either side of the river to update the cities and counties on the beltway corridor study sponsored by the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Windish was in front of the Bismarck City Commission on Tuesday and after his brief presentation took a couple of questions. Windish had noted that the study is now looking at both 71st and 80th avenues as possible east-west routes for the beltway.

Warford asked if perhaps 84th might have some connectivity problems to the proposed northern bridge which will align with Highway 1804.

Windish conceded that 84th did pose some problems since it was about a mile north of 1804 and didn't provide the best alignment.

Committee vacancy

The Bismarck Human Relations Committee has a vacancy on its nine-member board.

The mission of the committee "is to protect and promote the personal dignity of all Bismarck citizens and to eliminate any discriminatory barriers that prevent them from reaching their full human potential."

If you're a Bismarck resident and interested in being considered for the committee send Warford a letter describing your qualifications, background and why you are interested in serving. Mail letters to: Mayor John Warford, City of Bismarck, PO Box 5503, Bismarck, ND 58506-5503.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 701-250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)