On a 3-to-2 vote, the Mandan City Commission created a resolution placing budget limitations on those groups receiving city funding.

At a previous meeting, Commissioner Tim Helbling questioned increases to funding for the Bismarck-Mandan Development Association and Bismarck-Mandan Transit just because property values increased what a city mill is worth.

In 2005, the BMDA received about $96,000 in funding and was budgeted to receive $115,650 in 2006. Finance Director Greg Welch noted that city ordinance language provides the equivalent of 4 mills from the city's general fund to the BMDA. In the case of Bis-Man Transit, the organization received two dedicated mills and the equivalent of 1.5 mills from the general fund.

"I don't think they should be automatically given increases just because the mill levy goes up," Helbling said. "Our employees don't automatically get raises when the mill goes up. It's not as if we're cutting their funding; we're just asking them to come in and justify any additional money they want."

Mayor Ken LaMont and Commissioner Dan Ulmer argued against a specific resolution addressing the funding.

"We don't need a resolution to limit funds. It basically targets the BMDA and Bis-Man Transit. We have a fairly sound process we follow during our budgeting,"La Mont said. "I don't think we need a resolution when we're sitting on one of the more dramatic changes - facelift or whatever - in the history of this town (speaking of the remediation project). Why consider cutting back funding and putting a limit on an organization that can help us doesn't make sense at all?"

Ulmer maintained the funding was an administrative issue and didn't need to be addressed with a resolution.

"The toughest part of this is not wanting a perception by the BMDA we're not appreciative of what they're doing for us with the renaissance zone. The perception could lean that way," Commissioner Stan Scott said. "We appreciate what the BMDA does, and Bis-Man Transit. I don't think they should have to come before us to maintain money, but if they want more they should provide additional information. I don't see that as a negative. It will open the doors of communication and allow use to find out what they're spending the money on. I'm not saying they're spending it inappropriately, but what is it being used for?"

Welch said that the library and airport come before the commission during the budget sessions and the same could be done with organizations like the BMDA and Bis-Man Transit.

Helbling made the motion for the resolution, which was seconded by Sandra Tibke. They were joined by Scott in approving the motion.