New Western Dakota Energy Association director urges Stark County to renew membership, outlines GPT defense and outreach plans

Lisonbee Ritter, the newly appointed executive director of the Western Dakota Energy Association, introduced herself to the commission Dec. 2 and urged Stark County to continue membership in the association, noting the organization’s role defending the gross production tax (GPT) formula that returns revenue to oil‑and‑gas producing counties, cities and schools.

Ritter told commissioners she took over in July and that WDEA is compiling a comparative study showing how GPT revenues are used across member counties; she said updates will appear next year and the association plans to prepare legislative talking points and a strategic plan to guide advocacy. Ritter said Stark County had not yet paid membership dues for the year and stressed the value of the association’s Load Pass permitting system (an overweight truck permitting program) and the GPT advocacy that supports road and school funding in producing counties.

Commissioners asked about outreach to eastern legislators and Ritter said the association will include Eastern counties in its study to provide comparative data. Ritter outlined priorities including protecting GPT in lieu of property tax, supporting schools, backing coal and promoting linear infrastructure that supports value‑added industry and economic diversification. The commission took no formal action on dues at the meeting; Ritter invited further conversations and offered to meet commissioners after the break.

Ritter said WDEA will circulate materials and legislative packets during the interim to brief lawmakers and members and intends to present initial study findings in early 2026.