701 Rundown: April 17, 2023

Here’s your weekly rundown of some of the most interesting headlines from newspapers across North Dakota.

New legislation would allow tribe to tax alcohol on reservation

The Turtle Mountain Tribal Government is considering an effort that could possibly bring an alcohol tax to tribal lands.

The legislation was originally proposed by the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nations, and though Turtle Mountain did not advocate for the legislation, Chairman Jamie Azure said they do back the concept.

Senate Bill 2377 provides an opportunity for tribal nations in North Dakota to enter into a revenue share agreement with the state, tied to alcohol tax collections for each respective reservation.

After being unanimously passed in both the N.D. Senate and House of Representatives, Gov. Doug Burgum gave the bill his signature and made it law.

But before any local tribal law is enacted regarding taxation, chairman Azure assured that meetings will be held for business owners who sell and serve alcohol.

“We’ll let them ask the questions they have,” Chairman Azure said. “We can negotiate everything so as not to hinder their business.”

Reservations that implement the tax will share revenue through an 80/20 ratio, allowing the tribes to keep 80 percent of the collected tax with the remaining 20 percent going to the state’s general fund.

(Story by Jason Nordmark, Turtle Mountain Star)

West Side Park project gets boost

Thanks to a $15,000 donation, West Side Park in Carrington is on the cusp of a major update.

The Carrington Area Healthy Communities Coalition has been leading fundraising efforts for the project for about a year now.

Last summer, new playground equipment was purchased at a cost of $104,000 thanks to grants and donations.

Now, a sizable donation has helped the committee reach another milestone as it continues fundraising efforts to improve the park.

In March, a $15,000 contribution arrived from the Tevye Charitable Fund, which is part of the Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund. According to Coalition President, Michele Seil, the money will pay for the installation of that new playground equipment.

The installation process is expected to cost $49,561.

Before installation can begin, however, the old playground equipment must be removed. Seil said the old equipment will either be sold or recycled.

Meanwhile, additional fundraising efforts are still underway to raise money for a new family bathroom, which is estimated to cost around $30,000.

(Story by Amy Wobbema, Foster County Independent)

Walsh, Pembina counties approve Self-Help Program funds

Every year, the Walsh County Commission contracts with Red River Regional Council (RRRC) to administer the county’s Self-Help Program, which is used for communities to develop improvements within their cities.

Stacie Sevigny of RRRC presented their 2022 projects to the commission for approval at the March 21 meeting of the Walsh County Commission.

All totaled, there were nine cities requesting a total of $85,000 in various projects, and the county awarded each city $1,000.

Among the projects approved by the Walsh County Commission are asphalt patching in Edinburg, replacing the roof at the Community Center in Fordville and tree trimming in Minto.

Meanwhile, in Pembina County a number of other grants were also approved for multiple cities, with each city receiving funds for two projects.

Pembina was awarded $1,662 for updates on park washrooms and showers, as well as for the purchase of a tractor and a snowblower attachment.

Both Mountain and Crystal were awarded $2,500 for two separate sidewalk replacement projects, and Walhalla also received $2,500 for replacing playground mulch after spring flooding and for crack sealing streets.

(Story by Todd Morgan, The Walsh County Record)

North Star committee interviews superintendent candidates

Officials in the North Star school district have begun the process of replacing long-time North Star superintendent Jeff Hagler.

The committee has already completed two interviews with candidates that could replace the retiring Hagler.

Hagler notified the board last year of his plans to retire at the end of the current school year. A nine-person hiring committee was created and began advertising to fill the position earlier this year.

By the end of March, there had been a total of six applicants to fill the position, and the interview committee is expected to make a recommendation to the North Star school board at the next regular meeting in April.

Hagler has held the position for 10 years, since replacing Mark Lindahl. Prior to his stint as superintendent, Hagler spent eight years as principal and has been working in education in some capacity for 34 years.

In addition to his role as the district’s superintendent, Hagler was also the district’s athletic director.

The school board is focusing on filling the superintendent position before they begin figuring out what they’ll do for the athletic director position.

(Story from the Tower County Record Herald)