At its last meeting of 2007, the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District board took another step toward implementing several capital projects in 2008.

District finance manager Augie Ternes provided the board a financial analysis regarding the projects, which include: aquatic center-community bowl, Cottonwood Park, Hillside Pool-Lions Park, Pebble Creek recreation and New Generations Park. The analysis included revenues and debt through 2012.

District director Steve Neu said the district's role in the funding scenarios was to create a base for each project with available resources. This would include site development and infrastructure such as water, sewer, electricity, parking and landscaping.

The district would create the opportunities for user groups to finish, according to Neu.

"We're going in and creating the front end and letting the user groups come in and finish," Neu told board members. "We'll have the site readied and they will build the fields, create the facilities."

There are two components to the long-term debt to be incurred by the district, according to Ternes, the general operating debt and special assessment debt. The district would not be increasing its property tax mill levy, basing increased tax revenues on a 3.5 percent annual increase in property values and taxable valuation.

The district's long-term debt principal balances would see total general operating debt go from $5.7 million in 2008 to $3.9 million in 2012. Total special assessment debt will go from $3.3 million in 2008 to $1.3 million in 2012. Improvement district bonds for the projects, along with general infrastructure, will be $4,450,000 in 2008; $2,925,000 in 2009; $1,635,000 in 2010; $1,300,000 in 2011 and $400,000 in 2012.

For the aquatic center and Community Bowl, the district proposes to spend $483,000 for phase one of building preparation; $800,000 will be spent in 2009 for a parking lot; in 2010, about $268,000 is needed for improvements to Canary Avenue; in 2011, $268,000 is proposed for an overlook parking lot.

Construction of the aquatic-wellness center is not included as the district continues to look to outside interests such as Bismarck State College and the Streamline Recreational Development Group led by businessman Dennis Kemmesat.

The district will spend $1,150,000 in 2008 for preparation of land for six softball fields; the second phase in 2009 will include a multi-use path and parking lot at a cost of $389,000; in 2010, $305,000 will go for four additional softball fields and general site improvement; baseball field preparations will be made in 2011 for $580,000. Another $538,000 is projected for a support building which would have concessions and bathrooms and a picnic shelter. This would be built when revenues were available.

At Hillside Pool-Lions Park a proposed $1,025,000 will be spent in 2008; in 2009, $820,000 will go toward a parking lot and trails; in 2010 about $260,000 will be spent for such amenities as disk golf, skate park, basketball and lights for the tennis courts. A rest room and shelters will be added at a cost of about $790,000, if resources become available.

The district is proposing projects totalling $928,000 for the Pebble Creek Recreation area in 2008, including grade work for four youth baseball fields, a roadway and water service. In 2009, about $500,000 will be expended for earthwork for a driving range and parking lot. Finally, in 2010, amenities for the youth baseball fields, trails and a playground will be added for $360,000. A full-size baseball field also will be considered in 2010 if funds are available.

New Generations Park will get $100,000 in improvements in 2008 with no further expenditures figured into the analysis.

The Bismarck Men's Softball Association has committed $200,000 toward Cottonwood over the next five years and the Women's Softball Association is offering $50,000 over the same time period. The Youth Baseball Association is committing $100,000 toward development of Pebble Creek for five years. The district's capital construction fund will have $100,000 annually through 2011.

The board passed a motion to accept the financial analysis, allowing it to be incorporated into the process of developing a management plan and budget. Neu said an outline will be presented at the Feb. 21 meeting of the board.

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