The Williston City Commission approved a proposed set of guidelines for new industry and expanding business exemptions during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening.

The guidelines were written by Williams County Tax Equalization director Shawna Gooch-Egge. Commissioners asked her to work on a uniform set of criteria that could be used to determine what businesses and expansions they would allow to receive the business exemption.

After having meetings with the City County Abatement Committee and speaking with Williston Economic Development, a set of criteria was developed and presented Tuesday.

The proposal has a point scale on which projects and proposals can be judged on their type, number of jobs created, the average salaries of jobs created and the cost of the project, among others. The point scale for the projects creates a range of ratings between 12 and 70 points.

Projects over 20 points would be forwarded to the city or county commission for approval or rejection. The number of points received determines what percent of an exemption the business could get and for how many years if approved. Commissioner Howard Klug said he liked the organization of the proposal and it would help in having a uniform standard the city could apply to businesses looking to get an exemption.

"I like the idea of having something so that when someone comes in, they know what to expect," said Klug.

After some brief discussion, the industry exemption guidelines were approved unanimously.

In other business:

*The commission voted to deny a request from Citation Oil to allow open gas flaring of a gas line connected to an oil well near United Pulse Trading. Water and sewer lines are being rerouted in the area and the gas line was found.

A representative from Citation Oil requested the city allow the gas flaring, since the only other option is to have it rerouted at a high expense. The well only produces a few barrels per day and the flaring is only briefly each day.

The commission voted 3-1 against allowing the flaring, citing it was against city ordinance to have flaring inside city limits. Commissioner Brad Bekkedahl voting no.

*The commission voted to approve two new members to the Committee on the Employment and Advancement of People with Disabilities (CEAD), replacing two board members who recently resigned. Heather Cecil was unanimously approved to replace John Hval and complete his three-year term ending April 30, 2012. Tim Holter was unanimously approved to replace Frank Strom and complete his three-year term ending April 30, 2010.