While presidential candidates are capturing all the attention, there also will be a lot of decisions to be made on the local level in 2008.

In Bismarck and Burleigh County there are two positions up for election on both commissions, while Mandan will be electing a mayor and two commissioners and Morton three commissioners. The Bismarck Park Board will have two seats up for election as will the Mandan Park Board.

The municipal elections will be decided on June 10. On the same date the county commission fields will be narrowed down with the top vote-getters advancing to November's general election.

It's going to be a big year, according to Burleigh County auditor-treasurer Kevin Glatt, who's estimating about $80,000 will be spent to hold the two elections - primary and general.

"We spent considerable time in 2007 preparing for the 2008 elections. Right now, we're dedicating our short-term resources to receipting property taxes," Glatt said. "In the next couple of weeks, I'll start hitting the election preparations hard."

Potential candidates for city and county positions can start circulating petitions on Jan. 12. Bismarck and Mandan recommend that 300 signatures be collected. The petitions must be turned in no later than 4 p.m. on April 11.

Municipal election petitions can be picked up at city administrative offices in Bismarck and Mandan. Mandan's also are available online. Bismarck administrative offices are temporarily located at the Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health building at 500 E. Front Ave.

"They used to have to pick up petitions at our offices, so we sort of knew who was running," assistant administrator Phyllis Hager said. "Now they can download the forms, so we won't know until they're all turned in."

Petitions can be turned in as soon as Jan. 14, according to Morton County auditor Paul Trauger. He estimates Morton will spend between $45,000 to $50,000 for the primary and general elections. A candidate for county commission will need a minimum of 202 signatures and no more than 300 on the petitions.

"Next week, we'll be getting the the packages ready for anyone who wants to circulate petitions," Trauger said. "They can also get the petitions online."

This will be the first election that Bismarck city administrator Bill Wocken won't have financial officer Dennis Schlenker to rely on for election information. Schlenker retired at the beginning of 2007 after 40 years of service to the city and handled much of the election effort on the city's behalf. Along with petitions for the two city commission seats, there also will be petitions for the two Bismarck park district seats.

Morton park district director Cole Higlin said anyone interested in running for the two positions on the park board can pick up their packages at the park district offices at the Community Center.

There is still a lot of indecision on the part of local incumbents on whether they will run again in 2008.

Those indicating they will be running include: Burleigh County Commissioners Jerry Woodcox and Marlan Haakenson; Bismarck park district board members Mark Zimmerman and John Sagsveen; and Morton County Commissioner Matt Erhardt.

Among the undecided are:Mandan Mayor Ken LaMont and Mandan City Commissioners Sandra Tibke and Dan Ulmer; Morton County Commissioner Mark Bitz; and Bismarck City Commissioner Dave Jensen.

LaMont said he wants to talk it over with his family before he makes a decision.

"I am still undecided," Tibke said. "I am going to take the next month and make that decision. The next five to 10 years are critical to the future of our community, and I feel like I still have a lot to offer as a public servant, but I also have to consider the time it takes and how I will balance that with my family obligations. Newborns are a great deal of work."

Jensen, who has been a city commissioner for 20 years, said he has some financial decisions to work out before he makes a commitment. Jensen admits he would like to spend more time in southern climes such as Texas where he could be fishing and hunting during the winter months. He retired from his job with North Dakota Game and Fish nearly three years ago and now spends time as a hunting and fishing guide as well as doing outdoor video production.

Haakenson will be seeking his fifth term on the Burleigh County Commission. Haakenson said he is still getting a lot of support on the streets to run again which led to his decision to run again.

Bismarck City Commissioner Sandi Tabor said she will be announcing her intentions sometime next week.

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