The Bismarck Parks and Recreation District is ending its membership in the Missouri Valley Complex Authority and its management of the fairgrounds.

The park board will consider entering into a five-year agreement with the Burleigh County Water Resource District to continue management of the McDowell Dam Parks and Recreation Area, it was decided at Thursday's meeting. But the park board formally withdrew its proposal to manage all of Burleigh County's recreation facilities including McDowell, the fairgrounds, parks and boat ramps.

Park district director Steve Neu said that the Burleigh County commission and county park board voted not to enter into an inclusive agreement with the park district to manage county properties.

"It's my recommendation that we formally withdraw the proposed management agreement," Neu said. "And that we withdraw as a member of the Missouri Valley Complex Authority and withdraw from management of the complex, effective Jan. 1, 2008."

Members of the complex authority include the park district, Burleigh and the city of Bismarck. Each contributes $25,000 annually to the operation of the complex (formerly called Missouri Valley Fairground), which is managed and operated by the Bismarck park district.

"I've served on the park board for over a year, dealing with the county to get a resolution on management of county facilities. I see that has become impossible," board member John Sagsveen said. "I motion to withdraw from any further contact with the county and withdraw from the fairground board."

The motion passed unanimously.

Then the county water board, represented by chairman Ken Royse, approached the park board to request the district to consider a five-year agreement to manage McDowell, which the water resource district owns.

"We've had a relationship with the park district for over 30 years and it has been fruitful and satisfying," Royse said. "A lot of credit has to be given director Neu and Forest Ecklund (McDowell manager) for operating a Class A facility."

Royse said the agreement with the park district for management of McDowell has always been vague, but there had been very few disagreements between the two jurisdictions over the years.

The agreement proposed by the water resource district mirrors the agreement proposed by the park district, Royse said. But it was restructured so that the only entities involved are the park district and water resource district.

Royse provided a quick overview, pointing out that the park district is solely responsible for staffing and employees; funding is the obligation of the water district; a comprehensive reporting and coordination effort is required; and the water district does recognize that an administration fee is acceptable to the water board.

"The water board has two options. The preferred is to enter into this agreement or one similar. If we fail to reach agreement, we'll have to research the other option," Royse said. "We request your review and approval, but there is no necessity to do it today."

Park board chairman Mark Zimmerman said the matter will be put on the park board's agenda at its Jan. 17 meeting.

Park board member Paul Quist asked that any discussion consider the district's spending money outside Bismarck city limits.

"After speaking with the county commission, they feel they can operate McDowell at a lesser cost. This is a good opportunity to let them do it," Quist said. "Too many people are saying that they want us to concentrate on what we have and fixing up the facility we have, that we don't spend money outside the district."

The board voted unanimously to receive the water board's proposal and take it up at its next regular meeting.

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