The Dickinson City Commission on Oct. 7 approved the 2026 proposed budget, a set of fee changes and the Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport budget.

Deputy Finance Director Greenwood outlined the budget at the second reading, saying the city’s general fund expenditures total $29,699,210, a 7.78% increase from 2025. Greenwood said the city will transfer $17,430,000 from special revenue funds and plans to use about $3,400,000 of cash on hand to cover the projected deficit. Greenwood said the total of all city funds shows an 8.36% increase and noted that a reported $116,500,000 total includes transfers; counting each transfer once reduces that figure to about $107,000,000.

Greenwood said four new personnel positions are included in the requests and listed capital priorities including the library, museum and airport expansions. She also described fee changes set to take effect Jan. 1: new equipment rates for public works, additional solid-waste fees for mattresses and adjustments that align sewer rates for properties outside the city to equal outside-water rates. For water and sewer camera inspections Greenwood said a 300-foot minimum was added.

Commissioners debated no changes at the meeting’s second reading. Commissioner Murphy moved to adopt ordinance 18-30; the motion passed unanimously with Commissioner Murphy, Commissioner Frederick, Commissioner Baer, Commissioner Riddle and President Scott Decker recording aye votes.

On the fee schedule, which Greenwood said contains no substantive changes beyond the listed equipment and solid-waste fees, Commissioner Bair moved approval of resolution 42-2025. The resolution passed unanimously and the commission confirmed the rates will become effective Jan. 1.

Airport Manager Kelly Brown presented the Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport budget, reporting projected expenses of $1,536,900 and projected income of $1,555,030 for a narrow surplus of $18,130. Brown said the airport has tightened its budget to avoid raising the tax burden. Commissioners approved the airport budget (resolution 43-2025) by unanimous vote.

The commission’s votes complete the formal adoption of the budget ordinance and the two related resolutions on fees and the airport budget. Staff will implement the rate changes and begin next-year fiscal processes as outlined in Greenwood’s presentation.