News

Surge bill signed by the governor

By Scott Wagar

03/03/2015

It has felt like a lifetime for those waiting to see what would become of the surge funding bill during the 64th North Dakota Legislative Assembly, but on Feb. 24 Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed the surge bill which will bring $1.1 billion that will primarily be utilized by oil regions in the state.

With the surge bill signed by Dalrymple, Bottineau County received $15.4 million. Seven cities in Bottineau County also received surge funding for a total of $5 million. The cities includes 

● Bottineau - $3,350,000
● Lansford - $371,212
● Maxbass - $127,273
● Newburg - $166,667
● Souris – $87,878
● Westhope - $650,000
● Willow City - $246,970 

Antler, Gardena, Landa and Overly will not receive any of the surge fund because their cities have populations of less than 50 residents. 

The surge funding bill has been put through the legislative process quickly so that the areas in need of the construction and improvements can begin as early as this spring and summer.   

Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner of Dickinson proposed the surge bill, Kelly Armstrong of Dickinson introduced the bill and all western legislators sponsored the bill.

The House voted 90 to 2 in favor of the surge bill, while the senate passed the bill 46 to 0.

Sen. David O’Connell of the Sixth District stated that the surge money will assist Bottineau County greatly.

“The surge money is going to be good for the county and really help us,” O’Connell said. “The money means jobs and employment and we can do anything we want with the money because there are no strings attached, meaning no one can tell us what we have to do with the money.”

O’Connell also stated that some of the money is already on its way to the county, but any money for roads, will come at a later date because it has to go through the North Dakota Department of Transportation. He added that if roads are improved, the surge bill does state that roads have to be built up to 105,000 pounds, instead of the normal 80,000 pounds. 

“This is great because at 105,000 pounds the roads are going to last a lot longer,” O’Connell said.