The Fargo Park District Board of Commissioners tonight made key decisions on significant projects for the district and the 2023 budget.
The Park Board voted unanimously to approve the scope of the Island Park Pool Project. The project scope to include a 50 Meter Competition Pool with diving boards and diving platform, a Lifestyle Pool, Lazy River and slide complex with 1 Fly Tyme slide and 1 tube slide. Tonight’s approval of the scope of the project moves the project into the formal design phase. Fargo Park District staff has been directed to work with design team to formalize design documents.
The scope of the project was determined with careful consideration of public input and extensive research on the project. Through the public meetings held on the topic, the Fargo Park District overwhelmingly heard the public and neighborhood’s desire to see slides included in the pool project.
“After last week’s Public Open House, our consultant WTI shared that the public turnout at this stage of the project was significant in comparison to other communities they’ve worked with across the country,” shared Dave Leker, Fargo Park District Executive Director. “The community showed up to tell us that they are excited about the future of Island Park Pool.”
In separate motions, the Park Board approved the Initial Resolution for the issuance of General Obligation Park Facilities Bonds, Series 2023A by a vote of 4-0 with Commissioner Hill having left the meeting prior to the vote and approved the preliminary 2023 Park District budget as presented by a vote of 2-1 with Commissioners Hill and Rostad having left the meeting prior to the vote. The budget is balanced with a mill levy rate of 38.41, representing a total increase of 4.55 mills from the previous year. This increase is to repay obligations related to Phase 2 of the Fargo Parks Sports Complex Project. The Fargo Park District determined that it is necessary and expedient to issue $34,000,000 of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023A, to finance the construction of phase 2 of the Fargo Parks Sports Complex.
North Dakota Century Code requires the 2023 preliminary budget to be submitted to Cass County no later than August 10, 2022, showing our preliminary mill levy and giving notice of our budget hearing. The mill levy submitted in preliminary budget will be the maximum the Park District is permitted to levy. The mill levy can be decreased but not increased by the final submitted budget, due October 10, 2022.
Tonight’s passing of Initial Resolution for the issuance of General Obligation Park Facilities Bonds, Series 2023A sets the maximum debt issuance possible and establishes a 60-day public comment period. Over the next 60 days, administration will continue to refine estimated costs and secure additional resources, which may reduce the final bonding needs. The board discussed spending time over the next 60 days further defining the scope of phase 2.
