The Fargo Park Board unanimously agreed Tuesday to sue a former employee who is suspected of stealing more than $50,000 in Park District money.
The Park District's attorney, Tim Davies, said he will file a lawsuit against Tammy F. Golkowski, within 30 days.
Golkowski, 42, 6724 2nd St. N. Moorhead, is accused of stealing at least $56,000 from the senior meals program, Parks Director Roger Gress said.
Golkowski was arraigned in Cass County District Court Oct. 18 on felony theft and records tampering charges.
She managed the Park District's senior meals program at seven dining sites and was responsible for depositing meal donations into the Park District's bank account.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 20-year employee was fired in April after another employee found discrepancies between cash receipts and deposits.
The North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund, which protects the Park District from theft, will not reimburse the losses without a court judgment against Golkowski, Davies said.
"Nothing is going to happen until we get our lawsuit started," he said.
Board members, Tom Barnhart, Brad Wimmer, Linda Inniger and Barb Johnson agreed to file a lawsuit. Board member Jim Kapitan was absent.
The Park Board also awarded a construction contract for the new youth ice arena under construction near Interstate 94 and 45th Street.
Low bidder Becker Arena Products from Burnsville, Minn., was awarded a contract to install two skating rinks for $202, 812.
Board members decided to further study the arena's needs for refrigeration equipment before awarding a contract.
Since September, the ParkBoard has approved a host of contracts totaling more than $3 million to build the arena.
ADVERTISEMENT
The arena, projected to cost about $3.7 million, is designed to include seating for 800 spectators and parking for 300 vehicles.
Construction should be completed by June, said Jim Larson, assistant director of finance.
Gress said he expects the project to be completed on budget.
He said lower-than-expected bids have enabled the Park District to add $300,000 in additional equipment, including a generator and heat recovery system.
Last April, the Park Board sold 28 acres near the arena site for $2.4 million, money it will use for the arena.
The rest of project's cost will be financed and paid with general funds, Larson has said.
In other business, the Park Board:
- Agreed to spend $5,500 for a fireworks display during the Light Up the Night celebration Dec. 31.
ADVERTISEMENT
- Accepted a bid of $129, 108 from Butler Cat Machinery to buy a front-end loader.
- Agreed to provide Mickelson Field for a World Fastpitch softball tournament in 2004.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Zent at (701) 241-5526
