NDSU could be asking the 2017 Legislature for a deficiency appropriation to pay some of the bill for repairs on Minard Hall.
The Hall was being renovated when the north end collapsed in December, 2009.
The state Fire and Tornado Fund – which insures state building – initially denied NDSU’s claim – and the university sued. In a settlement reached this summer, NDSU will receive $3.1 million from the Fund. But damages are close to $4.7 million.
North Dakota University System Director of Finance Cathy McDonald briefed the State Board of Higher Education’s Budget and Finance Committee on the situation.
"The final costs aren't currently known, because of the attorneys fees accruing during that settlement process," McDonald told the Committee. "The June 30th balance that you see there of about $1.6 million represents the expenditures in excess of the final settlements, but does not include those unknown attorneys fees."
McDonald says NDSU will ask the full Board of Higher Education for a recommendation on how to pay for the additional costs.