Dickinson commission approves 2026 proposed budget on first reading; managers cite staffing, insurance and capital needs

Dickinson, N.D. — The Dickinson City Commission voted on Sept. 16 to approve the city's proposed 2026 budget on first reading, following a presentation by Deputy Finance Director Greenwood. The item, introduced as Ordinance 18-30, drew no public comment during the hearing and passed the commission vote.

Greenwood said the proposed general fund expenditures reflect a 7.79% increase driven primarily by personnel costs, including a 3% cost of living adjustment, a 2% merit increase and a 15% increase in health insurance costs. Greenwood told the commission, “Salaries ... are 70% of our budget,” and noted a number of personnel and reclassification requests were included; four new positions were highlighted as approved by the committee.

Key fiscal choices presented: Greenwood said the city anticipates about $12 million in general-fund revenue and expects to balance expenditures with transfers totaling roughly $17.4 million from other funds, including a proposal to use cash on hand rather than $3.4 million in transfers from the oil impact fund so that oil-impact reserves remain available for capital projects. Estimated year-end cash for the general fund was presented as about $7.3 million.

Major capital priorities cited in the presentation include the Baylor Building expansion, water reclamation facility work, sanitary sewer manhole repairs and a planned financial-software replacement (current vendor support ends in 2029). Greenwood said the enterprise funds will use approximately $5,000,000 in cash-on-hand for IT and other infrastructure projects. She also said the city recently took over the motor vehicle branch office and ambulance service, both of which affect expenditures.

Departmental and fee changes: Greenwood outlined proposed changes to public-works equipment rates and solid-waste fees (including increases for asphalt material, asbestos, tires and appliances and a new $5 mattress fee). Utility-billing hookup changes for areas outside city limits were described as matching the sewer rate structure. Greenwood said this was the budgets first reading and that the ordinance and fee schedule would return for final reading and passage on Oct. 7.

Action: Motion to approve the 2026 proposed budget on first reading was made by Commissioner Bair, seconded by Commissioner Riddle. Vote: unanimous in favor. Greenwood and staff received public commendation from the commission for the presentation and work on a complex budget year.

Context: The presentation included details on transfers, fund balances, personnel requests and fee schedule updates to support enterprise-fund projects. Commissioners asked no substantive follow-up questions and opened the public hearing; no public speakers came forward on the budget ordinance during the allocated time.