The Bismarck Park District will put together a proposal to manage all of Burleigh County's park and recreation facilities.

At its Thursday meeting, the Bismarck Park Board directed staff to develop an agreement, including all the specifics for management of Burleigh's properties. These include: McDowell Dam Recreation Area, Missouri Valley Complex (fairgrounds), several boat ramps and three outlying parks at Mitchell Lake, Driscoll and Wing.

Board members Mark Zimmerman and John Sagsveen have taken an active role in the Joint Parks Committee, which was formed to look at management of Burleigh's park and recreation facilities. At Wednesday's meeting of the Burleigh County Commission, joint parks moderator Errol Behm made a recommendation based on a park district proposal that the commission and park district enter into direct negotiations on a management proposal.

The park district manages McDowell and the fairgrounds through separate agreements with the Burleigh County Water Resource Board and Missouri Valley Complex Authority. But since the county commission is responsible for funding of these facilities and others, the park district wants to deal directly with the commission through a management contract.

Sagsveen reported that the county commission is willing to consider a management proposal with the Bismarck Park Distinct.

"The county commission would negotiate with the water resource board and county park board and allow us (Bismarck Park District) to deal with only one entity, the county commission, which has control of the money," Sagsveen said.

County commissioners are asking to see specific numbers that they can compare with what is currently being spent by the county for management and improvements of Burleigh facilities.

Sagsveen added that the Joint Parks Committee appears at an impasse until the county commission has something to review. A special committee, comprised of park board members Sagsveen and Zimmerman, county Commissioners Marlan Haakenson and Mark Armstrong, along with Burleigh auditor-treasurer Kevin Glatt and park district director Steve Neu, will meet to review the district's proposed agreement.

"I'd like to have this agreement completed so the county can review it before their next commission meeting (March 5)," Sagsveen said. "I want this issue reduced to a simple yes or no from the county commission. We should do this with a minimal amount of meetings."

Park board member Mike Gilbertson agreed the situation needed to move forward.

"We need to take the high road and be as professional as possible and give the county the opportunity to say yes or no," Gilbertson said.

Board member Paul Quist reminded everyone that the overall benefit on any such agreement has to have the taxpayer in mind. He agreed that the Bismarck Park District has the best tools to manage Burleigh's park and recreation facilities.

"But we need to make sure we are spending money in accordance with the wishes of the taxpayers," Quist concluded.

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