Minot Council debates 2026 budget guidance: vehicle reserve, vacancy policy, recycling and consultant reviews

The Minot City Council spent most of its Sept. 9 special meeting on guidance for the 2026 budget, debating several policy choices that could shift millions of dollars in property-tax-funded spending.

Council members and staff focused on four consequential topics: the proposed Vehicle & Equipment Replacement Fund (VERF), a proposal to move open positions into the city manager’s budget and apply a vacancy factor, a review of consultants and other professional services for potential cuts, and a motion to remove the city’s recycling mandate (the recycling motion was tabled by the council). Members also discussed street maintenance funding levels, a sales‑tax penny allocation proposal, and a late motion to restore a part‑time library position.

City Finance Director Dave briefed the council on levy arithmetic and three possible starting points: keeping the levy at the 2025 level, adopting a 3% plus growth increase, or implementing items from the president’s message. Dave explained a technical point about the 3% limit: the cap applies to dollars, not mill rate, so the mill rate can move differently from a nominal 3% public expectation. He presented dollar figures for each approach and said that returning the levy to the 2025 amount would require roughly $2.2 million in cuts from the president’s recommendations.

VERF: scope and debate Brian, who led the VERF briefing, told council the vehicle and equipment inventory shows a 2026 replacement need “trending towards about $6,100,000” if the city fully funds the multi‑year replacement plan. Proponents described VERF as a way to…