The Bismarck City Commission held a special session at noon Tuesday to wrap up year-end business, though for a few minutes it looked as if there wouldn't be a quorum.

Mayor John Warford was absent, leaving Commissioner Sandi Tabor in charge. At noon she was joined by Commissioner Connie Sprynczynatyk, leaving the two wondering whether they would have enough commissioners to have a quorum. A few minutes later Commissioner Dave Jensen's arrival assured a meeting would take place, though he admitted he only remembered there was a special meeting at the last moment. Seven minutes in, Commissioner Bryce Hill appeared, apologizing for his being late, indicating he thought the meeting was at the public works building rather than the Tom Baker room in the City-County Building.

City commissioners approved jail rates for 2005. Burleigh County proposed increasing the per-prisoner charge from $45 to $60. But the city questioned the line-item charge for depreciation of facilities. The charge was not being set aside in a capital fund for future jail improvements or new construction, rather it was being put in the general fund and being used for other operation expenses.

Commissioners agreed there is probably a need for a fund earmarked for future improvements and new facilities. Hill indicated a compromise figure of $52 had been reached and that a study group is being formed to research funding for 2006.

"Right now the $52 is the best we can do," Hill said. "The study group will look at this and resolve any conflicts, so we can have a firm figure for 2006."

Currently the city still provides transportation of prisoners and provides medical costs. The city is not billed for any indirect costs incurred by the county.

Hill pointed out the Burleigh County Commission has not yet formally agreed to the $52 charge. The county commission meets Monday, and will take up the issue at that time.

In other activity, Bismarck City Commissioners:

* Approved a change order for the Fifth and Front building renovation (Community Health Center), for a problem arising which wasn't foreseen in the architect's original engineering. The change calls for an infill concrete slab for steel support.

* Considered and called for a public hearing on Ordinance 5381 relating to annual leave. The change will allow the city to consider a former employee's years of service for vacation purposes, if the employee comes back to work for the city within five years of having left. According to City Administrator Bill Wocken, the change will be used as a recruitment tool for employees wanting to come back to work for the city.

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