A package which included Bismarck Park District projects and funding sources received enthusiastic approval at the third and final in a series of community input meetings.

District director Steve Neu detailed the package, which was developed by staff with public input at two previous meeting, for a group of about 60 people who gathered at the High Prairie Arts and Science Center Thursday evening. The recommendation will now be presented to the park board at its Dec. 15 meeting.

"In summary, I feel we have a solid list of projects, which provide opportunities for both the city and county. A funding recommendation of a quarter-cent sales tax increase. A park dedication development fee. Long-range delivery of park and recreation through a combined city district and county park board. And the creation of a park advisory committee," Neu said.

Projects to be developed over the next 10 to 15 years totaling an estimated $25 million were divided into three areas - capital construction of new facilities, upgrades and improvements to existing facilities and land acquisition. New facilities represent a wide variety of interests, from an indoor aquatics center to new golf courses, as did improvements to existing facilities such as the VFW Sports Center and Belle Mehus Auditorium.

While the projects received overwhelming support, paying for them was a more difficult matter. At the November meeting, a number of funding sources were identified including property taxes, sales tax, private funding, hospitality tax and park dedication.

District staff is advocating a quarter-cent city sales tax increase combined with a park dedication development fee. A quarter-cent sales tax will generate $2.2 million annual, according to Neu, which he and staff feel will adequately fund the outlined projects. The sales tax money will be split between the capital construction projects, renovations, acquisitions and facility operations and maintenance.

"Mill levies and bond issues have not received a real warm reception," Neu said. "The existing sales tax has existing needs and we ruled out the hospitality tax because it taxes a single sector. Private fundraising is not a strong category and is already ongoing and we don't want to compete from those groups already raising funds that way."

But it was the general consensus of those attending the meeting that the district pursue a half-cent sales tax, making sure there would be enough money for all the projects.

Park board president Dan Hovland said there is concern that a half-cent increase will be more difficult to sell to the voters. "I appreciate those that think a half-cent will sell to the public. I think that's fantastic if a half-cent is the way to go," Hovland said.

"My gut reaction is to want to go after the half-cent," board member Tim Mueller said. "Whether it be a quarter- cent or half-cent we got to get it done and do it. It's not going to get done without you people. I'm not afraid of it, and I see a lot of people here standing behind it."

Besides the proposed projects and financing, the package to be recommended, the park board will include talks to merge the Bismarck Park District with the Burleigh County Park and the creation of a citizens advisory board to work with district staff and park board to develop an annual plan.

Should the park board approve the recommendation, the next step will be to approach the city commission about getting the sales tax increase on the ballot and creating an ordinance for a park dedication development fund. Talks will also start with the county commission on merging the district with the county park board.

If the city commission allows for a vote on the sales tax, Neu said he feels it can be brought before the voters within six to seven months. Neu questioned whether the sales tax increase should be a part of the general election or a special election. He said that on the general election ballot there will be votes for three park board members, three city commissioners, three county commissioners and three school board members.

"And we're not sure of what other issues will be on the ballot. We don't want to confuse the voters," Neu said. "Perhaps we should ask for a special election which addresses just the sales tax. We would have to raise about $15,000 to pay for a special election."

Because of the push by input meeting participants for a half-cent versus the quarter-cent increase, Neu said he and the staff would have to rethink the issue before presenting it to the park board on Dec. 15.