In a split vote, the Morton County Commission nixed lowering its levy for a joint economic development fund from over $90,000 to $70,000 Tuesday during its final budget hearing.

Earlier in the day, Morton County Commissioner Andy Zachmeier challenged the county's participation with the Bismarck-Mandan Development Association. He claimed BMDA was not fulfilling its 1994 contract for Morton County or its cities.

Russ Staiger of BMDA outlined projects and efforts the group has been involved with.

Zachmeier argued that the west side of the river is poorly represented by BMDA, has benefited little from the organization recently and that the decision of Morton County's paying into BMDA should go to the voters.

Under the agreement, BMDA is designed to boost economic development in Mandan, Hebron, New Salem, Flasher and Almont.

Morton County pays $90,000 into the organization every year through 3 mills that are dedicated to BMDA.

Zachmeier urged the board drop that to two mills.

Staiger returned late Tuesday afternoon for follow-up questions about his presentation.

Commission Chair Richard Tokach and Commissioners Matt Erhardt and Jim Boehm rejected dropping one mill for economic development.

Commissioner Mark Bitz and Zachmeier voted yes. Bitz also expressed concerns about Morton County getting its money's worth for its investment.

Zachmeier reasoned the county had agreed to pay $70,000 in its 1994 contract, not $90,000 as it is now.

Morton County State's Attorney Allen Koppy submitted an opinion that the levy for the mill levied for the economic development was legal within a seven-year time span allowed after a referral against such a mill levy.

"Our contract (states) they would be meeting and developing economic goals and economic programs in our rural cities," Zachmeier said.

"They are to report every six months to the Morton County Commission and describe some of the activities they have been doing. We haven't been getting that. They're supposed to be giving us the proposed budget of the upcoming expenditures for the year. I haven't seen any of that."

Staiger said he recently gave a report. Zachmeier said he did not see it.

"I believe poor communication is taking place," Zachmeier said.

Zachmeier said no projects in Morton County benefited from BMDA money in the past fiscal year. "Some of these (projects listed) are going back several years," he said during a break of the meeting.

"In this current year, not one Morton County project has applied for the $25,000. We are levying $100,000. There is $25,000 available. Of that $100,000, $25,000 is available for other grants.

"The general citizens are not seeing where the chamber of commerce or the BMDA is representing Morton County and the Mandan side of the river," Zachmeier said.

"I think it needs to go to vote. The state's attorney said it is legal to continue to levy this, but is it proper? I don't think it's proper when the citizens have voted against this in 1986.

"Are we getting the same service as Burleigh County or the Bismarck side of the river?"

Staiger said that there may be smaller projects supported by BMDA in small cities because they may not the high workforce to support big businesses there.

He also said businesses brought to larger cities in the two counties could also mean large-paying wages for people commuting from smaller towns.

"The minimum we should do is have the mill levy reduced to give the citizens some property tax relief," Zachmeier said earlier in the day.

Zachmeier said he wanted the job authority contract from 1994 to be renegotiated because there are certain provisions of the contract that are not being followed through.

He asked if Morton County and its cities had an adequate voting power.

Staiger said all members have a vote during the annual meeting.