City Council Considers Appraisal Cost For Park Sale
The newest hurdle if the city of Wolf Point wishes to sell Triangle Park is the matter of paying $15,000 for an appraisal of the property.
After the city’s parks and recreation committee requested city attorney Montana Wilson to seek quotes for appraisals, he reached out to 24 companies approved by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The least expensive price was $15,000 from a company in Glasgow.
City officials seemed surprised by the amount for the appraisal. Wilson explained that it requires a “yellow book appraisal.”
Wolf Point Mayor Chris Dschaak said of the park, “I understand that, but it’s less than 10,000 square feet.”
The money would need to come out of the city’s general budget. All funds received from a potential sale must go into another park’s improvements. The park discussed most for improvements has been O-Skat-E park on Fairweather Street.
After the meeting, Dschaak said about the cost of the appraisal, “Surprised is a very loose term on what the appraisal will be.”
Wilson explained that the appraisal would need to solidify how much the park is worth. The city must prove to the state and National Park Service that a new park’s value will be at least the same of the value of Triangle Park.
An environmental socio-economic survey will need to show that the replacement property offers about the same recreational use as Triangle Park.
The National Historical Society and Fort Peck Tribes would also need to be consulted.
Dschaak said the city would need to authorize $15,000 for appraisals before they can do anything else in the matter.
“I just can’t believe the state would stand in the way of what we’re trying to do here,” council member Dean Mahlum said. “It’s not like we’re trying to sell the land to put it in the general fund or whatever. We want to build a nice park for kids who live on the south side of Wolf Point.”
Dschaak said the appraisal would need to be a budgeted item in the next budget.
“We don’t have 15 grand just sitting out there,” Dschaak said.
Wilson said the next step would need to be for the council to authorize the sale of Triangle Park itself. The property would need to be sold on a public auction.
Mahlum asked how can the council make a decision unless clerk Jhona Peterson reports that there’s money in the budget. Peterson feels that it’s possible that she can provide such a report on the budget at next month’s meeting.
The city council voted on a 6-2 margin in January 2025 to pursue the sale of Triangle Park.
During October 2024, Town Pump’s officials stated a proposal that includes paying the city $20,000 for the property.
Dschaak said the parks and recreation committee will meet with Peterson to discuss if funds are available. The council will discuss a decision during June’s meeting.
