Dickinson commission approves multiple ordinances and contracts; budget reading advances, United Way permit denied

Dickinson, N.D. — The Dickinson City Commission on Sept. 16 approved a series of municipal code amendments, a city contract for utility control software, several land-use actions and advanced the city'026proposed 2026 budget during a regular meeting. Separately, the commission denied a high-profile special use permit for a United Way supportive-care project at the former Evergreen building after an extended public hearing.

The most consequential procedural vote was on the 2026 proposed budget, presented by Deputy Finance Director Greenwood. Greenwood said the general fund expenditures increased 7.79% driven chiefly by salary adjustments and a 15% rise in health insurance costs; the budget also reflects recent city responsibilities, including a motor vehicle branch office and ambulance service the city began operating in July. Greenwood described the proposal as a first reading; commissioners opened and closed the required public hearing and then voted to approve the proposed 2026 budget as presented. The commission scheduled ordinance reading and final passage, and a fee schedule resolution, for Oct. 7.

On municipal code and ordinance business the commission unanimously approved multiple second-readings and reenactments: ordinance 18-26 (amending section 4-48 to move the Legacy Square concession liquor license bidding deadline from Oct. 1 to Nov. 15), ordinance 18-27 (amending chapter 6 to clarify running-at-large violations), ordinance 18-28 (revising headings in chapter 58 to restore prior terminology for issuance of warrants and failure-to-comply language), and ordinance 18-29 (amending section 58-100 to conform speeding fines to changes made by the 2025 Legislature). Those votes were taken after staff presentations and no substantive public comment.

The commission also approved a services agreement with Enatec LLC for a full replacement of the city'019s SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) software used for the water reclamation facility, lift stations and distribution network. Staff reported the system under current use is aging and that Enatec, headquartered in Dickinson, responded to the RFP and provided a cost estimate; the commission voted to award the contract.

Infrastructure and planning votes included approval of a letter of support for the North Dakota Department of Water Resources cost-share application for the East Broadway Dam. Staff said the DWR cost-share would cover 75% of construction costs, with a city share of 25%; an estimated application amount of $1,950,000 implies a city cost-share of about $650,000 toward a total estimated installed cost of $2,600,000. The commission noted the city share was included in the 2026 CIP and would be funded with GPT.

Staff also informed the commission of an emergency repair needed in the Dickinson drainage way near Edward Jones and the Circle K due to stormwater erosion. The interim bank stabilization will use a concrete block retaining wall and carries an estimated cost of $137,000 to be funded from cash on hand; no formal action was required for the emergency repair report.

On land-use matters, the commission approved the final minor plat for Prairie Creek Third (resolution 38-2025) and granted a 10-foot utility-easement vacation at Lot 18, Block 1, Southview Homes (resolution 39-2025). The commission approved a special use permit for a chiropractic medical office (Seiler SUP, resolution 40-2025). The commission also approved a zoning text amendment removing a city conditional-use permit requirement for oil wells (ordinance 18-31) and approved a separate letter of recommended development requests to Scout Energy concerning a proposed well in the city'019s extraterritorial zone.

Votes at a glance (selected items and outcomes)

- Resolution 37-2025: Proclamation designating Oct. 1, 2025, as Manufacturing Day in Dickinson — approved (unanimous).

- Ordinance 18-26: Amend section 4-48 (Legacy Square liquor license bidding deadline Oct. 1 -> Nov. 15) — approved (unanimous).

- Ordinance 18-27: Amend chapter 6 (running-at-large violations) — approved (unanimous).

- Ordinance 18-28: Amend chapter 58 headings (issuance of warrants/failure to comply language) — approved (unanimous).

- Ordinance 18-29: Amend section 58-100 to align speeding fines with 2025 House Bill 1298 (fee schedule changes described in the ordinance) — approved (unanimous).

- SCADA services agreement with Enatec LLC (contract award) — approved (unanimous).

- East Broadway Dam letter of support for ND DWR cost-share application (75% DWR / 25% city; estimated total $2,600,000; city share ~$650,000) — approved (unanimous).

- Prairie Creek Third final minor subdivision plat (resolution 38-2025) — approved (unanimous).

- 2026 Proposed Budget (ordinance 18-30: first reading/proposed budget as presented) — approved (commission vote to advance; public hearing held and closed).

- Ordinance 18-31: Zoning text amendments removing a conditional-use permit requirement for oil wells and aligning city code with North Dakota Industrial Commission permitting — approved (unanimous).

- Scout Energy letter of recommendation (development requests to reduce truck track-out, coordinate drills with Dickinson Fire Department, and limit truck route to 30 Ninth Street West) — approved (unanimous).

- Lot 18, Block 1 Southview Homes 10-foot easement vacation (resolution 39-2025) — approved (unanimous).

- Seiler Special Use Permit (chiropractic medical office; resolution 40-2025) — approved (unanimous).

- United Way Special Use Permit (United Way supportive-care center at former Evergreen building; resolution 41-2025) — motion to approve failed; special use permit denied (vote recorded: Riddle Aye; Murphy Aye; Frederick No; Bair No; Chair voted No; motion failed).

Why it matters: The package of ordinance changes updates local code (including speeding fines and municipal code headings), advances the city'019s budget process into its next reading, and commits the city to seeking state cost-share for an East Broadway Dam project. The denial of the United Way special use permit ends a months-long review and a large public debate over a proposed supportive-care facility at a downtown site; commissioners will not move forward with that operator and location under the requested SUP.

What commissioners said: Commissioners generally voiced support for staff recommendations on code updates, the SCADA replacement and the East Broadway Dam cost-share application. On the United Way SUP, commissioners cited divided public comment and differing views among commissioners; the vote was split and the permit was denied.

Next steps: Ordinance 18-30 (2026 budget) will return for reading and adoption and a fee schedule resolution on Oct. 7. Projects requiring outside approvals (East Broadway Dam cost-share and NDIC-related oil well permits) will proceed through their respective state processes.

Speakers (selected): Scott Decker, President, Board of City Commissioners; Natalie Burczyk, City Planner; Deputy Finance Director Greenwood; Senior Engineer Keller; Jake (public works staff); Commissioners: Dr. Bair, Commissioner Riddle, Commissioner Frederick, Commissioner Murphy; Dakota Gant, Executive Director, United Way Dickinson (public hearing participant); multiple members of the public and agency representatives during public hearings.