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…