Grand Forks County commissioners on Aug. 5 discussed and approved several measures in the county’s preliminary 2026 budget, including staff pay adjustments, capital-improvement priorities and targeted one-time set-asides for large road projects. The board moved to use portions of cash carryforward to remain within the state’s statutory levy cap, agreed to include a 2.4% cost-of-living adjustment and a 3% step increase for employees in the proposed budget, and approved adding a sheriff’s administrative position and one Youth Assessment Center (YAC) staff position to the recommended staffing roster.

Key budget figures and actions: County staff reported a required payment of $567,007.26 from cash carryforward to reach the allowable 3% levy cap; commissioners discussed and also approved an additional $97,006.53 from carryforward that would reduce the general fund mill increase to a 0 mill change (i.e., no mill increase). The preliminary budget adopted by motion at the meeting includes the following: a proposed 2.4% COLA for employees, a 3% anniversary step program, an assumed 19% health-insurance cost increase and a $1.5 million capital-improvement allocation (886,000 of requests were noted). The commission approved restoring an administrative assistant position for the correctional center and adding one YAC staff position that had been included in requests.

Flex fund set-asides and highway projects: The commissioners approved a staff recommendation to set aside $500,000 in one‑time state flex funds for an airport-related intersection (airport/US-2 interchange) and to hold the remainder of a one-time state allocation as local match for legal drain No. 4, should that project be selected. The board also directed staff to pursue flex-fund bridge and township applications and authorized staff to coordinate township applicants and potential consultant assistance on complex applications.

Other operational approvals tied to budget: Commissioners approved payment of an alternate construction financing balance for county projects (discussion included possibly accelerating pay-off to reduce interest expense) and authorized a county upgrade of Tyler (payroll/HR) software, with a not-to-exceed budget of $165,000 from cash carryforward for implementation and a higher annual subscription moving forward. The board also authorized use of capital funds for a public-health IT/cabling remediation project ($14,500).

Why this matters: The actions keep the county within the state levy cap while accommodating some employee pay increases and addressing capital-request priorities. Commissioners emphasized cost-control and wanted to preserve cash reserves while addressing operational needs, staff retention and infrastructure projects. County staff said they would return with final numbers and clarifications when the budget proceeds to adoption stages.

Ending: County administrators will adjust the draft budget pages to reflect approved carryforward uses, revised staffing and capital items and present a final recommended budget for adoption in subsequent meetings.