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Source: The Bismarck Tribune, N.儲存D.Oct. 11--BISMARCK, N.D. -- With a half-mill docked from its annual revenue in 2014, the Burleigh County Water Resource District will prioritize future water and flood protection projects more closely.At its Sept 26 final budget hearing, the Burleigh County Commission cut the water district revenue from 2 mills to 1.5 mills, leaving it with about $171,400 less to operate with in 2014."We presented the county commission with what we felt we needed to perform our duties. They decided to cut us by half a mill. ..Whether it means canceling projects or delaying projects, we have not come that far in our discussion," said Cary Backstrand, vice chairman of the water district.Burleigh County Commissioner Doug Schonert recommended that the water district budget be cut to the other commissioners before their decision to lower the mill levy. The Tribune called him twice, but he could not be reached for comment Friday. County Commission Chairman Jerry Woodcox declined comment Friday and referred questions to Schonert."We have some reserves," Backstrand said "We'll be breaking down our budget a little more now." He and water district member Kathleen Jones plan to bring spending suggestions to the water district after a closer budget review.Jones said the water district has about $340,000 remaining in its reserve fund. The reserve is often used to leverage other state and federal funds to pay for projects.Backstrand said state law allows the water district to receive up to 4 mills for its annual budget. For several years the county levied 2 mills for the water district's annual budget, but the levy amount is decided by the county commission.The water district is still working on completing flood protection projects identified after the 2011 Missouri River flood, according to Backstrand. The water district will decide which get done on a project by project basis, he said. "I'm hoping we don't eliminate any of those projects," he said.Top projects for the water district now are:n Finishing cleanup at Hoge Island and stabilizing a ba迷你倉k where four homes were damaged and bought out for $1.27 million. A public meeting will be held to determine if Hoge Island residents want to build a levee where the four homes stood. Easements will leave space for the levee if residents want it later, Backstrand said. He said the water district is still seeking help from the state Water Commission on restabilizing the bank there because the bank protection was there before the flood.n Completing a levee near the Missouri River Correctional Center with the help of state funds. This also would protect nearby residents.n Snagging and cleaning the Missouri River near the Heart River with help from the city of Bismarck, city of Mandan, the Lower Heart Water District, the Morton County Water Resource District and Burleigh County. The Burleigh County Water Resource District is the lead agency on the project. The entities need permits from the state and U.S. Army Corps Engineers to do the work. The concern is that piled up dead trees and sediment will create future ice jam flooding risks there.n Flood protection at Fox Island. The water district would work with the county engineer to raise roads as a means of flood protection to allow access to the homes there during flood events."We'll fund as many projects as we can," he said. He said the water district must rely more upon partnerships and special assessments to pay for the most important ones. "We levy our mills with the county as best we can. We're always looking to leverage our money with the state Water Commission. If the project qualifies for federal money, we'll partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers," he said.The Burleigh County Engineer's office is another partner in some of the flood protection projects, Backstrand said.If residents want certain flood projects, they also can vote on paying for a portion of the work through special assessment districts, he added.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 The Bismarck Tribune (Bismarck, N.D.) Visit The Bismarck Tribune (Bismarck, N.D.) at .bismarcktribune.com Distributed by MCT Information Services儲存倉