Morton County is committing more than $80,000 to a 1.27-mile section of pedestrian trail along Highway 1804, though the commissioners aren't quite sure where the money will come from.

County parks Director Vern Davis came to the commission at Tuesday's meeting and recommended the county approve the next extension of the trail, which is expected to eventually reach the developing Harmon Lake area north of Mandan. Mariner Construction submitted the low bid for the project of $281,025.56.

The bulk of the project, about $200,000, will be paid through a federal Transportation Enhancement grant.

Davis also told the commissioners that about $30,000 will be needed to finish the ramp project at Fort Rice. He also said he wants to spend about $10,000 on remodeling the park department's shop. Davis said he believes that the $30,000 could be used for the trail since the Fort Rice project can't be completed until the water on the river drops. He said he doesn't think any work will take place at least until this fall.

Since the trail project hadn't been budgeted for this year, some of the commissioners weren't comfortable with approving the contract with Mariner. Auditor Paul Trauger said he is confident he can find the funds and suggested borrowing from an account that had funds earmarked for a ramp north of Mandan.

"That money was given us about 10 years ago for the north boat ramp. I'll have to see if we can legally use that money," Trauger said.

"We wrestle with this all the time," Commissioner Dick Tokach said. "We're spending money on a multiuse path when we're having problems with county road conditions and the cutbacks the state makes. We need to prioritize. If we want to go ahead, it should come out of the park department budget. We may have to push off other things that we want to do this year."

Davis said he is worried that a number of people do what amounts to a primitive trail-cutting through the ditch along 1804 to reach the established trail.

"One day, we're going to have some little kid stray up onto the highway and get hit by a car,"Davis warned. "If the trail continues to be built, the next extension will probably see a 100 percent to 200 percent boost in use because it will connect that area out there with the city limits. There's a major population out there of 1,500 to 1,700 people."

Commissioners Andy Zachmeier and Matt Erhardt professed their support of the project. Zachmeier said the trail is becoming more than just a recreational path because of the number of people using it to reach Mandan.

Erhardt made the motion to approve the contract with Mariner, figuring the county will find the funding somewhere.

"If this passes, we're committed to this," commission Chairman Mark Bitz said. "I would like some more assurances we can find the money."

Trauger said that, should the county pass on the project, it will lose the federal grant.

The county has been committed to providing a trail to Harmon Lake, Davis said, with expectations of completing the trail in six to eight years.

The county did not receive a grant for 2008 and will have to apply for further extensions in 2009. "If those grants are available," Davis cautioned. "Trail money and enhancement grants have been cut drastically from the federal budget. I encourage you to sign this contract."

With the auditor confident he can find the county's match, commissioners passed the motion unanimously.

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