(Spirit Lake)—Dickinson county supervisors are raising concern over potential conflict of interest issues involving legal representation of a Lake Park housing group.
Several supervisors Tuesday expressed concern that Lonnie Saunders, an assistant county attorney who represents the supervisors, is also serving as Lake Park City Attorney and is representing the Lake Park Housing Authority. They say they are in no way questioning his ability, but they’re concerned over what could be perceived by some as a conflict of interest.
The Lake Park Housing Authority is requesting permission to tap into the county’s low to moderate income housing funds generated through two existing tax increment finance districts in Lake Park. Supervisors Pam Jordan and Mardi Allen Tuesday said the process of doing that is complex and that they don’t want to leave any possibility open for something that could stand in the way of the Authority being able to accomplish what it wants to do. Jordan added extra caution needs to be exercised, saying taxpayer money is at stake.
Jordan and Allen also presented housing authority representatives with lists of questions they have regarding the organization’s bylaws.
Lance Heikens who’s a member of the Lake Park Housing Authority, told the supervisors he plans to call a meeting of its board of directors to address the concerns and make appropriate changes to bylaws.
The supervisors will hold a public hearing March 26th on a proposal for the county to transfer the tax increment funds to the authority.
