The Missouri Valley Complex Authority has made some steps toward completion on improvements of the rodeo grounds on the east edge of Bismarck.

At a Monday afternoon meeting of the authority members, Marlan "Hawk" Haakenson, a county commissioner, presented a progress report on the process.

He reported around $35,000 to $40,000 of work - nearly half of the tasks - already have been completed because of a combination of a budgeted allotment, volunteers and donations.

Originally budgeted at slightly more than $100,000, Haakenson said in the process of working, an estimated $35,000 in additional costs was revealed to be needed.

A good chunk of that cost comes from a needed three-sided bleacher cover, which will likely cost $40,000 to erect - double the original estimate. The $20,000 price jump would be to hire an engineer to meet building codes.

Minus the completed costs and plus the newly reviewed costs, the estimated new total of $95,000 in remaining work will be requested as a part of the 2009 county budget.

At the meeting, the members also set up a priorities list of work yet to be completed. Some of the work includes building a new road, fence work and removing the old sign at the site.

"I'm still in a stalemate with the city and the sign workers on how to get this done," he said.

Haakenson said he also will go before the Bismarck City Commission to request a joint partnership for a yearly $25,000 match in maintenance costs.

The request also will include a clause that any unused amounts of the joint agreement, would go toward further work on the master plan for the entire grounds.

"I think everybody is going to get along just fine with this agreement," Haakenson said. "It will give the city a good chance to sit at the table and put suggestions and priorities in on direction of where we're going."

(Reach reporter Chris Rosacker at 250-8254 or at chris.rosacker.)@bismarcktribune.com