Ward County approves 2026 preliminary budget with further reductions planned; public hearing set for Sept. 17

The Ward County Commission approved the 2026 preliminary budget on Aug. 5, 2025, with the understanding the budget must be further reduced by $745,120 to comply with the 3% cap. Auditor/Treasurer Marisa Haman and staff discussed the preliminary figures during the meeting. The motion to approve the preliminary budget with additional reductions to come was made by Comm. Rostad and seconded by Comm. Olson and passed unanimously. The commission also set the public budget hearing for Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.; that motion was made by Comm. Schuler and seconded by Comm. Rostad and passed by roll call. The actions recorded authorize staff and commissioners to continue budget work; the meeting minutes do not list specific line-item reductions or which departments will absorb cuts. The record notes the requirement to reduce the preliminary budget by $745,120 to conform with the cap but does not cite the statutory source of the cap in the minutes. The public comment period at the meeting had no speakers.