Commission approves 2024 year-end report, two new finance positions and multiple administrative items

The Dickinson City Commission on March 4 accepted an unaudited summary of the city’s 2024 finances, approved a set of encumbrances and accounts-receivable write-offs, and adopted two finance department job descriptions intended to strengthen succession planning and customer-service backup.

The actions were taken during the commission’s regular meeting at Dickinson City Hall, where Deputy City Administrator Carlson presented budget-to-actual comparisons and staff recommendations. "This is an unaudited summary of the '24," Carlson said, and she told commissioners the general fund was 92% expended in 2024, with general-fund revenues of about $24.2 million and expenditures of about $24.7 million, producing a roughly $534,000 gap against the budget. Carlson also reported enterprise funds brought in more revenue than budgeted and citywide revenues exceeded expenditures by $684,849 in the unaudited totals.

Why it matters: the year-end numbers define how much operating and capital flexibility the city has for 2025, and Carlson told the commission grants and one-percent sales tax receipts helped the city manage volatility in oil-impact revenues. "Our 1% sales tax did really well," Carlson said, and she noted reimbursements tied to SRF loans and project activity affected cash flows.

Encumbrances, write-offs and resolution amendment

Staff presented a list of encumbrances — budgeted items approved…