Missouri Valley Complex committee backs development agreement for Ag and Equestrian Center

The Missouri Valley Complex Committee voted to support the Ag and Equestrian Committee’s request to establish a development and operating agreement with the Burleigh County Commission for a proposed Equestrian and Ag Center at the Missouri Valley Complex.

The motion, made during the committee’s August meeting by committee vice chair Alan, directed the Ag and Equestrian group to work with county staff and the county’s attorney to draft an agreement and seek the county commission’s consideration. The motion was seconded and approved in a roll-call vote; the chair announced “motion carried.”

Committee members said the vote does not authorize the committee to sign or finalize any legal agreement. Steve Nguyen, county staff, said this step starts a process in which the county commission will hold legal authority over any final agreement and the committee will provide vetting and periodic review. “The first step, I think this is a good way to go and start this process,” Nguyen said.

Commissioner Munson, who joined the meeting remotely, told the committee the county’s state’s attorney had advised that a development and use agreement — rather than a single standard lease — is the appropriate direction because existing agreements at the complex are unique to each user. “I believe what we’re gonna hear from Alan later on the development agreement is the right direction to go,” Munson said.

Committee members discussed what role the Missouri Valley Complex Committee should play in reviewing drafts before the county commission sees them. Some members said it is the committee’s duty to vet proposed uses to ensure they do not conflict with other events or users on the complex; others cautioned the county commission ultimately decides whether to enter a legally binding agreement.

Committee leaders and staff said the county’s attorney will be engaged in drafting the agreement, and that the committee will continue to review agreement drafts and return recommendations to the commission as part of an iterative process. The committee reiterated that it has no legal authority to sign leases or contracts; any executed lease or development agreement would be approved at the county commission table.

The committee also discussed timing. Staff indicated the request would be presented to the county commission in September to begin drafting the agreement. Members said they expect to see drafts and additional coordination before final county action.

The committee’s support signals local backing for continuing formal negotiations between the Ag and Equestrian groups and Burleigh County, while preserving the county commission’s authority to approve any binding agreement.