Cass County approves 2026 budget with 54.18‑mill cap; commissioners pledge follow‑up on Broadway Station senior center

The Cass County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Sept. 15 to approve the county’s final 2026 budget as presented and directed the county finance director to levy taxes to support the budget with a maximum mill levy on county property of 54.18 mills.

Interim Finance Director Tim Wilson told the board the preliminary budget approved in August totaled $178,193,425 and reflected a 1.63‑mill increase from the levy used for 2024 taxes. The final budget includes one new position, one position adjustment, a 2.4% cost‑of‑living increase for employees and an increase in health‑insurance costs (Wilson said the county’s health‑insurance consultant had estimated about a 2.3% increase). Wilson said budget notices were mailed to roughly 76,000 Cass County property owners as required by North Dakota Century Code §57‑15‑02.

The board opened a public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget. Cindy Simmer, a Fargo North resident, urged the commissioners to find money to keep Broadway Station, a North Fargo senior center, open. Simmer described the center’s role in preventing isolation, its SilverSneakers exercise group, and the center’s social value. She said Valley Senior Services had requested $2,000,000 (the amount Cass County has contributed in recent years) and asked the county to consider a $107,000 annual contribution to keep Broadway Station operating in its current location.

Commissioners acknowledged the center’s community value and described limits the county faces when a final budget is under consideration. Several commissioners said Valley Senior Services should pursue fundraising and that the county would continue discussions; the board did not add funds to the adopted 2026 budget at the meeting.

After the public hearing the board took a roll‑call vote and approved the budget. The board also handled a series of routine agenda items, including land‑use and administrative approvals. Most of those motions were moved and seconded with brief staff presentations and recorded unanimous votes.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Approve 2026 final budget and levy necessary taxes (maximum mill levy 54.18). Outcome: approved (roll call). Key details: preliminary budget $178,193,425; 2.4% employee COLA; health insurance increase ~2.3% (as reported). Vote tally: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain. - Motion: Approve final plat for FMD Mapleton Subdivision (diversion corridor / joint approval with West Fargo). Outcome: approved. Vote tally: 5‑0. - Motion: Adopt updated planning department fee schedule (adds floodplain development permit fees; $1,500 per lot/unit in Western Cass FIS area; $100 per lot/unit outside). Outcome: approved. Vote tally: 5‑0. - Motion: Approve primary residence credit abatement request (Juan and Jeanne Camarillo) to transfer PRC from 1201 Cheyenne St. to 655 Sixth Ave. W., West Fargo (applicant missed state transfer deadline; county legal and finance recommended approval). Outcome: approved. Vote tally: 5‑0. - Motion: Deny primary residence credit abatement (Craig Holly) related to trust‑held property where refund timing and state guidance resulted in refund remaining with the property’s current owner. Outcome: denied. Vote tally: 5‑0. - Motion: Approve amendment of easement/agreements with Van Vliet family for shared driveway and well (property known as 7119 County Road 31 North and adjacent county‑owned parcel). Outcome: approved. Vote tally: 5‑0. - Motion: Authorize administration to discuss reasonable compensation with Riverside Cemetery Association and, if appropriate, execute a quitclaim deed for 37 previously discussed burial plots (administration to return with details). Outcome: approved to pursue compensation discussions. Vote tally: 5‑0. - Motion: Appoint Commissioner Capitan as Cass County voting delegate and Commissioner Flackill as alternate for the 2025 annual convention. Outcome: approved. Vote tally: 5‑0. - Motion: Approve vouchers. Outcome: approved. Vote tally: 5‑0.

Other routine approvals recorded during the meeting included minutes approval, agenda order, consent agenda, and several administrative items; roll calls recorded unanimous support for those motions.

During the budget discussion Wilson explained the county’s timeline and legal constraints for changes to the levy: while the board may reduce the mill levy prior to final adoption, it may not raise a mill levy above the amount published in notices. He said the final budget must be approved by the deadline set in the county’s home‑rule charter.

Commissioners said they would continue to engage with Valley Senior Services about Broadway Station, including fundraising and operational options, and they indicated some flexibility to consider smaller allocations later in the year if unspent funds or other sources become available. No immediate additional county allocation was authorized at the Sept. 15 meeting.

The board adjourned after completing business.