Commissioners approve resolution to place Walsh County in line for state infrastructure loans

Walsh County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a resolution that opens a 60-day protest period tied to a limited tax capital projects levy, a step county staff said is needed to pursue county-backed borrowing and to position the county for infrastructure loan funds from the state.

County staff explained the resolution authorizes borrowing against the countycapital projects levy to support permanent capital improvements; the language sets a maximum levy-backed borrowing amount of up to $10,000,000 as the portion that requires the protest period. Officials said the county separately may seek up to $20,000,000 through the Bank of North Dakota infrastructure loan fund.

"We want to be first in line when that money does become available," a county official told the board, noting the legislature recently replenished the infrastructure loan fund and it is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The presenter said the Legislature increased the fund to about $200 million this session but did not earmark new money specifically for jails.

Commissioners voted to approve the resolution; the clerk called the roll and recorded affirmative votes from all members present. The board also discussed whether to schedule a special meeting to act before the 60-day period ends; members agreed to hold a special meeting at 9 a.m. on June 9 to address any protests or finalize documentation if necessary.

Ending: The resolution begins a formal protest window and does not itself obligate the county to borrow; commissioners said the action is a preparatory step so the county can move quickly if state financing is awarded.