JSDC OKs planning consultant

Talk about it

The Jamestown/ Stutsman Development Corp. Board agreed to hire a planning consultant during its regular meeting Monday.

The board approved a proposal from SRF Consulting to provide a basic study, planning to facilitate a later strategic master plan and technical assistance for local officials. The cost estimate for the proposal was $45,000.

“We have a big gap when dealing with developers because we don’t have this done,” said Jim Boyd, member of the JSDC Board. “I recommend we press on with this project.”

Concern for community planning has increased with several new projects anticipated to bring more interest by business and residents to the area. The planned CHS, Inc. Nitrogen Project is anticipated to bring more than 1,500 workers to town during construction with more than 100 full time workers during plant operations.

The proposal now moves to the Jamestown City Council and the Stutsman County Commission for possible approval. Costs for the planning services would be split with 80 percent covered by the city and 20 percent by the county.

Todd Hudspeth, JSDC Board member, questioned whether it should be a city or JSDC cost.

“It is a sales tax versus property tax kind of question,” said Mayor Katie Andersen.

If the planning consultant were hired from the city budget the funds would come from city property tax collections. The 80 percent the city will pay for the planning services will come from the city’s sales tax collections.

“We’re not talking about a city planner here,” said Alex Schweitzer, president of the JSDC Board. “We’re talking about facilitating city planning.”

Another issue discussed at length during the JSDC Executive Board meeting on Oct. 29, was not on the agenda for the full board meeting.

“The (South Central Dakota) Regional Council discussion is moved to the December meeting,” Schweitzer said. “It is important enough to make sure all members associated with the issue are present.”

Board members Ramone Gumke and Mark Klose were not in attendance. Both had addressed the issue of the city and county dropping membership within SCDRC at the executive board meeting.

Deb Kantrud, SCDRC executive director, distributed information on the services provided by the organization for Jamestown and Stutsman County.

In other action, the board elected Kelly Rachel and Lorrie Pavlicek to the JSDC Board. They will serve a three-year term beginning Jan. 1.

Bob Toso and Chris Rathjen were elected to the executive board. They will also begin three-year terms on Jan. 1.

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at 701-952-8452 or by email at knorman@jamestownsun.com

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