Emmons County moves to include 4‑mill levy for Linton Municipal Airport in preliminary budget

Emmons County commissioners voted to include a proposed 4‑mill levy for the Linton Municipal Airport in the county’s preliminary 2026 budget and to proceed with the budget‑hearing schedule that will allow public comment before any final levy is approved.

The airport authority presented its proposed 2026 budget, citing capital priorities including a $50,000 avgas/jet fuel system upgrade (the airport representative said the state would cover 25 percent of that cost) and a planned complete pavement rehabilitation and chip seal. The authority recommended counting 50 percent of the fuel upgrade against the 2026 appropriation and showing a year‑end cash reserve. The airport’s final appropriation in the presented documents was $200,000 with an expected cash reserve around $37,000 without the levy; including the mill levy increases projected revenue.

Why it matters: commissioners said preserving the airport is important to keep local infrastructure and business access; adding the levy to the preliminary budget triggers statutory procedures including public notice and a public hearing (the county will schedule a hearing between Sept. 7 and Oct. 7). Commissioners emphasized that placing the levy in the preliminary budget is not a final commitment — the public hearing and the board’s subsequent vote can modify or remove the levy before adoption.

Key details presented at the meeting included: - Airport capital: a proposed fuel‑system upgrade estimated at $50,000; presenter said the state would pay 25 percent of that cost. - Airport authority budget: the authority submitted a proposed appropriation of roughly $200,000 for 2026 with an end‑of‑year cash reserve estimate of about $37,000 without additional levies. - Levy limit: participants noted an existing statutory maximum of 4 mills for an airport levy; the county can choose any levy up to that maximum. - Timeline: the board must set a public hearing notice window (Sept. 7–Oct. 7 was discussed) before final adoption; commissioners said adding the levy to the preliminary budget will allow public input and further evaluation of details, including whether the airport must establish its own board composition and bylaws under state law.

Commissioners and staff also discussed governance: whether the airport authority needs a joint agreement or a specific board composition, what state law (referred to as the Century Code) requires, and whether county commissioners may serve on the airport authority board. Officials said staff would check the North Dakota Century Code and the airport authority bylaws before bringing a final plan forward. Presenters also mentioned exploring shared county resources (for example cycling an available county vehicle as a courtesy car at the airport) to reduce costs.

Decision and next steps: the board agreed to include the 4‑mill levy in the preliminary budget; staff was instructed to prepare the required public‑hearing notices and to continue discussions with the city and airport authority about bylaws, board appointments and the final levy level. The board said it would treat the preliminary levy as subject to public comment and possible revision before final budget adoption in October.

Ending: Commissioners said including the levy in the preliminary budget preserves options and allows the public process to run its course; they scheduled follow‑up work on bylaws, board appointments and confirmation of state statute requirements.