Dickinson Public Schools officials told a public hearing that the district closed fiscal 2024–25 with more revenue than spending and expects a narrow surplus for 2025–26, while recent legislative changes to property-tax rules and the district’s decision to sell bonds in a single year will affect levy levels.

At a budget presentation, district staff member Hunter said the district brought in $67,847,004.17 in general fund revenue for 2024–25 and spent $66,547,199, leaving a general fund balance of $9,397,066. “Well, we stayed in the black, which is the most important thing,” Hunter said.

Hunter told attendees the district expects $70,479,635 in general fund revenue for 2025–26 and estimated expenditures of $70,477,814, leaving a very small surplus. The district projects staff costs will remain about 80.9 percent of general-fund expenditures and operations 19.1 percent.

The presenter attributed a large increase in the building fund balance at year-end—$68,120,500—to the district selling all bond issues in a single year rather than phasing sales, a choice made because of the risk posed by an anticipated ballot measure discussed in the presentation (referred to by the presenter as “Measure 4”). Hunter described that decision as a precaution to “secure our funding for that project.”

Hunter also described state-level changes that affect local property taxes: legislators moved toward capping some levies at 3 percent and shifted levy calculations from mills to dollar-based limits. The presentation noted a state per-pupil funding increase of 2.5 percent for 2025–26 and another projected 2.5 percent for 2026–27 and summarized recent property-tax-credit programs, saying eligible taxpayers could apply for a $500 flat credit in the prior year and would be eligible to apply for $1,650 in the coming year.

Under the district’s estimates, the value of one mill rose from $181,657 in 2024–25 to an estimated $200,870 for 2025–26; total mills levied were 146.79 in 2024–25 and estimated at 139.4 for 2025–26. Hunter explained that even though the mills levied decrease, the overall tax amount can increase because property assessments raised the value of a mill.

The presentation included other budget details: oil-and-gas distribution taxes accounted for about 4.6 percent of 2024–25 revenue; federal grants and local sources made up a share of revenue; several federal grants ended and that increased district costs; and tuition and inflation-related increases were notable cost drivers. The district estimated total outstanding debt at $108,872,916; a public commenter rounded that to $109,000,000 when asking questions.

Hunter credited the food-service manager, Miss Muffley, and her team for returning the food-service fund to a positive balance after years of deficit. The presentation also cited $2.4 million in Dunn County grants since 2020 that the presenter said were used to buy down district debt.

A resident, Timer Amol, asked how a 3 percent cap would affect the district’s state aid (described in the presentation as a “foundation” deduction). Hunter said the district is absorbing roughly $200,000 related to that deduction and that state “gap funding” had provided a temporary fix but the future coverage is not certain.

No formal motions or votes were taken during the hearing; the presentation concluded and the meeting opened for public comment and then adjourned.