There are clearly misgivings on the part of Burleigh County Park Board members about entering into an agreement with the Bismarck park district for management of county facilities, including the McDowell Dam recreation area, Missouri Valley Complex, boat ramps and parks.

The county park board, which consists of the five county commissioners and two at-large members, met prior to Monday's commission meeting.

The Bismarck Park Board met immediately after the Burleigh County Commission.

Commissioner Jerry Woodcox said that the commission had approved entering into an agreement with the park district back in August.

But it was also noted that the agreement had been amended by the park board, and the commission had not approved them.

The original agreement had called for a one-year contract, and the park board is requesting five years, though any of the contract's participants - the county park board, county commission, county water resource board and Bismarck park board - can opt out with 90 days of notice.

Commissioner Doug Schonert had his misgivings about the extension, preferring to have one year as a trial basis.

County park board member Dwayne Wahl expressed his concerns about the administration fee that the Bismarck park district proposing. These sentiments were echoed by Marlan Haakenson, Schonert and Dave Bement. The proposal calls for 25 percent of the operations budget to be paid to the Bismarck park district for administration. The first year of the agreement would equate to about $75,000.

Haakenson said he maintains that the county could manage the properties at a cost less than being proposed by the park district. But Woodcox and Commissioner Jim Peluso said that at present, the county doesn't have any way of managing the properties.

Woodcox said the county would have to hire staff and buy equipment. Peluso said he believes the Bismarck park district provides the expertise and infrastructure the county doesn't have.

The county commission will resume the discussion at its Dec. 3 meeting at which time it will invite public comment on the issue. The Bismarck park district is hoping to have an answer by its meeting on Dec. 20.

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