Grand Forks County Commission Votes 3-2 To Approve PILOT Ray Richards Golf Course Redevelopment Program

(KNOX) –The Grand Forks County Commission voted to approve a PILOT for the Ray Richards Golf Course Redevelopment Program. The vote was 3-2.

The investors are looking to receive a 20 year, 90 percent PILOT to build 169 new apartments and a driving range at and around the golf course owned by UND. Commission President Kimberly Hagen broke a 2-2 tie. Hagen, along with Commissioners Tony Hodny and Bob Rost voted yes. Commissioners Terry Bjerke and Mark Rustad voted no.

Hagen says the county has approved very few PILOT’s during her tenure.

The Commissioners requested to the City Council that the PILOT would be reviewed every five years. The current agreement would only include lookbacks at the 10 and 15 year marks. The lookbacks would have the city working with advisory firm Baker Tilly to report on the financial status of the project. If the project reaches a specific internal rate of return percentage, the taxing percentage could be reset, so more revenue can be provided to taxing entities like the county. The commission has recommended that the return percentage be 7.75 percent.

UND President Andrew Armacost attended the meeting, and said to the commission the project would not need to rely on the PILOT when it starts to succeed.

The Grand Forks School Board, Grand Forks County Commission and Grand Forks City Council all need to vote in favor of the project in order for it to go through. The school board voted in favor 5-4, and now with the Commission voting yes, the City Council will vote on September 8th.