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Dickinson council adopts FY2025–26 city budget; approves EDC budget after $1.4M land-acquisition amendment
Summary
The Dickinson City Council approved a first reading of the city’s FY2025–26 budget and separately approved the Dickinson EDC’s FY2025–26 budget after amending a $1.4 million land‑acquisition line to offset a reported EDC deficit. Council and staff debated transparency, the EDC’s fund balance and conditions tied to potential property purchases.
The Dickinson City Council adopted, on first reading, an ordinance approving the city of Dickinson’s budget for fiscal year 2025–26 and separately approved the Dickinson Economic Development Corporation (EDC) FY2025–26 budget after amending the EDC budget to remove a $1.4 million line for land acquisition and apply it to the EDC’s reported deficit.
City Manager Chase, presenting the city budget, told the council the work reflected “hard work, collaboration, and a dedication to being as efficient as possible with our tax dollars.” The council then voted on the ordinance in a roll call; the motion passed.
The council’s discussion of the EDC budget focused on a $1.4 million land‑acquisition line item that some members said represented money earmarked for a possible property purchase tied to the long‑running Water Street/project area. Council member Mark Townsend noted the line item was intended as a safeguard for opportunistic acquisitions but cautioned that the specific property the EDC had discussed in the past was being offered for about $1.9 million. “The price of that land right now, what the individual is asking for is like 1.9,” Townsend said.
Council members debated whether placing that amount in the EDC budget effectively authorized the EDC to spend it without further council approval. City Attorney Mister Doan and staff confirmed that council approval remains required for any EDC expenditure, but several council members said the allocation created the perception that the council had already authorized a specific purchase. After discussion a motion passed to remove $1,400,000 from the EDC land‑acquisition line and apply that amount toward the stated EDC deficit. The amended EDC budget passed on that vote.
Finance director Sarah Clark answered specific questions about where line items appeared and confirmed the EDC’s budgeted special projects include Water Street and that some grants (for example, reimbursable EDA grants) are paid after work is submitted.
What happened: the council approved the city budget ordinance on first reading and approved the EDC fiscal year budget with the amendment shifting $1.4 million away from land acquisition into deficit reduction. Formal roll call was taken for the city ordinance; the EDC amendment passed by the council’s recorded vote.
Looking ahead: staff said they will continue quarterly budget reviews and bring any required follow‑up back to council for approval. The EDC must present individual project requests to council before funds are spent.
Votes at a glance: City budget ordinance (6a) — motion passed by roll call; EDC FY2025–26 budget (7d) — approved with amendment moving $1.4 million from land acquisition to offset EDC deficit.
