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Williston commissioners approve preliminary 2026 budget projecting $16.12 million deficit
Summary
The Williston Board of City Commissioners unanimously approved a preliminary 2026 budget estimating $210,456,206 in expenditures, $194,335,066 in revenues and a $16,121,140 shortfall; commissioners directed staff to review capital projects and equipment purchases before public hearings next month.
City Administrator Shawn Wenko told the Board of City Commissioners on Aug. 8, 2025, that the document under review is a preliminary budget and "once we submit it the budget cannot increase, it can only decrease." He said the administration will hold open hearings with department heads and commissioners before returning a formal budget to the public next month.
Wenko presented the preliminary fiscal year 2026 figures: estimated expenditures of $210,456,206, projected revenues of $194,335,066 and levies totaling $5,944,442.15, producing a projected deficit of $16,121,140. He attributed the shortfall largely to a sizable capital improvement plan and said the engineering department had requested $25 million in capital work for the year.
"This is not the final budget for the City of Williston, it is only preliminary numbers, and they will go down," Wenko said, adding that staff would review large equipment purchases and work with portfolio commissioners to distinguish wants from needs and determine what can be postponed or phased across multiple years.
Commissioner James Bervig moved to approve the preliminary budget "as presented," and Commissioner Brad Bekkedahl seconded. The motion passed by a recorded voice vote with all five commissioners — Victoria Siemieniewski, James Bervig, Lucas Gjovig, Brad Bekkedahl and Howard Klug — voting AYE; the board carried the measure 5-0.
The meeting included routine business: the agenda was approved at the start of the session on a motion by Commissioner Brad Bekkedahl, seconded by Commissioner Lucas Gjovig, by unanimous voice vote. The board adjourned at 12:07 p.m. after a motion by Gjovig, seconded by Bervig.
Next steps: staff will conduct hearings with department heads and commissioners to refine the capital plan and other line items; Wenko and commissioners indicated they expect the preliminary total to be reduced before a formal budget is released to the public.
