Missouri Valley Complex committee removes Phase 3 from operating budget, seeks legal guidance on sales-tax swap and 3% levy cap

The Missouri Valley Complex Committee on Wednesday removed a proposed Phase 3 design line from its draft operating budget and directed staff to pursue using reserve funds for planning costs while the county seeks legal guidance on how a new dedicated sales tax interacts with the state27s 3% levy cap.

Committee members said they will leave nonrecurring planning and capital work out of the operational levy-funded budget where possible and ask the Burleigh County attorney and, if necessary, the state attorney general for written opinions about how levies will be calculated if sales tax replaces some levied dollars.

The committee27s action came after extended discussion about how to fund grading, snow removal and asphalt maintenance for the Missouri Valley Complex, and whether upfront planning and design costs should come from operating revenues or from a county reserve. Commissioner Munson said past phases of planning came from reserve funds; members agreed Phase 3 planning should be removed from the operational budget and pursued…