The Burleigh County Commission approved $63,500 for computer appraisal software, but refused a request for $2,200 from the Bismarck-Mandan Civic Chorus at Wednesday's meeting.

Director Thomas Porter, representing the Civic Chorus, made a presentation to the commission, first detailing the expenditure of $2,750 received from the County Involvement fund in 2005.

Expenditures included: $425 to cover transportation costs to perform a concert in Wing in the spring of 2006 and printing of the concert program; underwriting the costs of concert tickets for military families and low-income individuals in Burleigh; and underwriting the costs of ticket and facility costs for Burleigh sixth- graders outside the Bismarck Public School District to attend the 2006 educational program, "This Is An Opera."

The total cost of the three programs was $3,670 with the Civic Chorus picking up the remainder.

Porter asked for $1,000 in 2007 to again underwrite the cost of concert tickets for low-income and military families in Burleigh. This would average $250 per concert sponsoring up to 50 attendees. He requested $1,200 to again fund the sixth-grade program "This Is An Opera."

Commissioner Jerry Woodcox, presiding as acting chairman, asked auditor-treasurer Kevin Glatt what funds were available through the Community Involvement Fund. Glatt said $11,000 was funded for 2007 with $5,000 earmarked for the Fourth of July ceremony, $5,000 for employee awards, and $750 for the North Dakota Association of Counties sponsorship.

Woodcox credited the Civic Chorus for having an excellent project, but with the county not having budgeted for it, there was no funding available through the Community Involvement Fund. Woodcox also said there was some concern that should the county fund the Civic Chorus that it will open the door for other nonprofit organizations requesting funding.

"It's been the commission feeling that property tax dollars are not generally made to go to nonprofit organizations," Woodcox said. "We might get involved with a fireworks donation to a community-wide celebration like Independence Day, but other than that we haven't done any."

The Civic Chorus was invited to submit their request for 2008 when the county begins preparing its budget in July and August of this year.

The commission had budgeted $95,000 for Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal software in 2007 which is expected to improve how the county keeps track of properties assessed outside Bismarck and bring greater equity to those assessments. Three organized townships, four unorganized townships and the city of Lincoln are contracting with Burleigh for assessment services using the software.

"I sat through several presentations and met with the townships about this," commissioner Doug Schonert said. "I concur this is something we badly need to move into high tech assessing. It's going to take some time before it's fully in effect, I imagine one to five years. The goal is to have more equitable taxation."

Auditor-treasurer Kevin Glatt requested a motion authorizing him to finalize contract negotiations and execute a contract for the software system with Vanguard Appraisals Inc. Total cost of the software system was placed at $65,599, well below what was budgeted. Schonert's motion to do so passed 4 to 0.

"The county will operate as the host for the system and purchase licenses for three work stations and support remote computer work stations located with the three organized townships (Hay Creek, Gibbs and Apple Creek) and the city of Lincoln," Glatt said.

"The software will allow the exchange of the assessment information between them and the county. This information will be accessible on the internet for all citizens," he said.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 701-250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)