The Bismarck Parks and Recreation District agreed to continue management of the McDowell Dam Recreation Area at Thursday's park board meeting.

The Burleigh County Water Resource District board, owner of the property, still has to approve the contract, but chairman Gailen Narum told park board members he doesn't anticipate any problems.

The park district has managed McDowell for 30 years, but recent developments put that relationship at risk. The Burleigh County Commission rejected an offer by the park district to manage all Burleigh park properties which included the Missouri Valley Complex (fairgrounds), several boat ramps and some smaller parks.

The water board supported the park district's management of county properties and immediately went to work on an agreement to keep the park district in charge of McDowell.

Park board president Mark Zimmerman noted that there had been some remarks that the county commission thought it could manage the county properties for less than what the park district proposed.

Narum responded that the agreement for McDowell was with the water district, which owns McDowell, even though the county commission does hold approval of the water district's budget.

"This is just a contract, it has nothing to do with ownership or anything else. A contractual agreement between the water district and the Bismarck park district," Narum said.

Park board member Jennifer DeForest asked if the county commission had brought any proposals to manage McDowell.

"We have not received any proposals and that's why we moved forward with this contract," Narum said.

Burleigh County commissioner Marlan Haakenson took the opportunity to address the park board on the matter.

"Some of us on the board feel we certainly can do it more cheaply. It was a majority decision that we could do it more cheaply. I still feel that way," Haakenson said.

The county commission has been waiting on a decision regarding management of McDowell as it considers hiring a full-time or part-time park ranger, Haakenson said, adding that based on the park district's motion it will look for a part-time position.

Haakenson did take issue with the management agreement that stipulates the park district is only responsible to provide reports on McDowell to the water board and no other agency. He didn't understand why the park district couldn't copy the county commission with its reports.

"I remind you the county commission is deeply involved," Haakenson said. "We approve the water district's budget and appoint members to the water board. We can remove them, too. The commission has a controlling interest."

The discussion ended with the park board approving the contract with the water district on a unanimous vote. The water board will take up the issue at its Feb. 11 meeting.

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