The North Dakota Township Officers Association is holding workshops in 15 communities across the state during the month of February to update township governments on the activities of the Legislature’s 2009 session.
Township leaders in the Williston area can learn more on Feb. 10 when the organization holds a 7 p.m. workshop at the Williston Airport International Inn.
Executive secretary Ken Yantes said they schedule a series of meetings so officials from up to about 60 miles from the meeting place can attend. Yantes hopes area leaders can attend and get up to speed on what was a busy legislative session.
“Every other year during the off-legislative years, the idea is to take the opportunity to tell the townships what happened during the session, what was considered and what it’s going to do for those of us in the townships,” said Yantes. Yantes said during the meetings, he hands out packets of township law changes passed by the Legislature and explains them.
Another speaker at the meeting is Mark Verke, a risk management specialist from the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund. Yantes said Verke is showing slides on how townships can reduce the risk of liability.
A representative from the North Dakota Tax Commissioner’s office is also to be on hand to explain how to fill out a new transportation incomes and expenses form the townships must use.
Yantes said one such legislative change to be discussed is S.B. 2010.
“This is the Department of Transportation bill we passed. In it, townships will be included in the Highway User Fund instead of the gas tax,” said Yantes.
Yantes said this switch allows townships to get larger amounts of DOT money than when they were receiving 1 cent on every gallon of gas.
“Our expenditures have been increasing substantially and the dollars needed haven’t been rising with inflation. I believe that this is going to bring townships a little more in the long run,” said Yantes.
Another topic to be discussed is $10 million in funds that were dispersed to townships impacted by last year’s flooding. Yantes said this money didn’t come to the municipalities for free, as they must record where every dollar went and report it to the Tax Commissioner’s office.
Even though the use of the money must be meticulously recorded and submitted to the state, Yantes said it was a helpful boost in beginning the repair of roads in and around smaller communities. Despite the help, Yantes said unfortunately “it’ll take several years to get back to where we were before the flood of 2009.”
Yantes said there are several positives for township leaders who attend. One of them is a special question-and-answer session with leaders and the association’s legal counsel, Tom Moe. Yantes said officials tend to appreciate the face-to-face opportunity to ask Moe about legal questions.
“It’s nice to talk to your attorney every now and then,” said Yantes.
Another positive aspect is the possibility of new ideas forming during the meetings.
“You’ve also got the opportunity to develop groundwork for possible legislative ideas in the future. We’re going to be keeping our ears open and listen. That’s what these open forums are for,” said Yantes.
Yantes hopes to see a fairly large group of area officials at the meeting. He said hopefully everyone takes away new knowledge to help them in their ongoing work in their communities.
For more information on the North Dakota Township Officers Association, visit www.ndtoa.com.
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