There were some inaccuracies in the following story concerning the Bismarck Park District budget which was approved on Thursday.

The park board is carrying a debt of $16 million rather than the $60 million as reported. Also, the story incorrectly listed the amount of the People, Parks and Places sales tax measure in the June election. The measure requested a half cent sales tax measure.

Finally, the $200,000 in pay increases does not include 4 percent merit raises for employees. And the $1 an hour raises for temporary employees was an average and was not to indicate every temporary employee will be receiving a $1 raise.

The original story, as it was printed with inaccuracies, is below.

The Bismarck Park Board struggled to approve the 2007 budget, debating whether the numbers reflected the wishes of the voters as reflected in the June election.

But after some soul searching at Thursday's meeting, the board approved the budget as presented by district staff, rejecting an effort to eliminate or reduce a $2.5 million bonding authority for capital improvements. The total 2007 budget is $15.1 million, with $8.1 million going to the general fund.

The budget calls for a 1.16 reduction in mills, but with increased property values and new properties will actually raise an additional $343,000 for the district, over $200,000 of that earmarked for 4 percent merit pay raises and $1 an hour increases for temporary workers.

Bob Harms, representing Citizens for Responsible Government, took the opportunity to address the board during the budget hearing. The grassroots organization was instrumental in defeating the People, Parks and Places 1 percent sales tax measure in the June election. The election also saw the defeat of two Park Board incumbents.

Harms voiced opposition to the creation of the special assessment district for sale of the $2.5 million in bonds.

"We understand that much of the $2.5 million is for infrastructure for many of the same projects that were counter to the vote," Harms said. "We think that the vote in June is a clear statement and that the park district proceed cautiously in regard to projects and find other funding."

Harms suggested the park district was creating projects knowing that money wouldn't be available for maintenance and operation and this was part of the reason so many of its facilities are in need of major improvement.

It was pointed out that the park district already has $60 million in debt. Harms also asked that the board revisit all expenditures and revenues adding that his organization was willing to help.

Paul Quist, one of the board's three new members, also asked that the $2.5 million bonding authority be removed from the budget. He said that it would result in a higher tax liability to Bismarck residents.

"This is one way to set the bar high and make us really work hard to make tax dollars work,"Quist said.

Todd said that approving the bonding authority didn't mean the board had to spend the money, but without the authority the board wouldn't even be able to consider needed projects. She said that, last year, the board had not used its bonding authority.

Board member Jennifer DeForest agreed with Todd, but said she was new to the process and that the board would be better suited to tackle the budget next year. She said she felt the judgement used by staff to create the budget provided would suffice for this year, considering the board had an Oct. 1 deadline to finalize.

"I'm fully aware of what happened in June. And I have had a lot of conversations, too, with people that voted against the measure," board member Mike Gilbertson said. "But yet they also told me they wanted a trail head by their house, wanted to make sure programs and facilities were available for their kids."

Board President Mark Zimmerman asked the board if they wanted to take the time to revisit the entire budget rather than approving it following the hearing.

"I, too, have a concern for what the people of Bismarck will pay for these bonds down the road. I want to make sure we're getting it right," Zimmerman said.

District Director Steve Neu said that 38 percent of the budget comes from tax dollars, and the remaining 62 percent from funds generated by the district through fees and charges. He said that many user groups throughout Bismarck are willing to get involved with developing facilities, but that they are relying on the park district to take the first step in providing the property and infrastructure.

Quist made a motion to reduce the bonding authority to $1.5 million, but it failed for lack of a second. Todd motioned to approve the budget as presented, which was seconded by DeForest and approved by a 4-1 vote, Quist casting the only no vote.