Williston commissioners approve preliminary 2026 budget that projects $16.1 million shortfall

The Williston Board of City Commissioners on Aug. 8 approved a preliminary 2026 budget that projects a $16,121,140 shortfall, City Administrator Shawn Wenko said.

Wenko told the commission the city’s preliminary spending estimate for fiscal year 2026 is $210,456,206, with revenues projected at $194,335,066 and levies totaling $5,944,442.15. "This is preliminary, which means that once we submit it the budget cannot increase, it can only decrease," Wenko said, adding, "This is not the final budget for the City of Williston, it is only preliminary numbers, and they will go down."

The administrator attributed the projected deficit primarily to a large capital improvement program planned over the next year or two and said the engineering department requested about $25 million in capital this year. Wenko said the administration and commissioners will hold hearings with department heads to distinguish wants from needs and to determine which projects could be deferred or spread over multiple years.

Commissioner James Bervig moved to approve the preliminary budget; Commissioner Brad Bekkedahl seconded the motion. The commission voted unanimously (Siemieniewski, Bervig, Gjovig, Bekkedahl, Klug) to approve the preliminary budget as presented. The board then adjourned at 12:07 p.m. after a motion by Commissioner Lucas Gjovig and a second from Commissioner James Bervig.

Next steps include department-level budget hearings and public meetings to refine the proposal before a final budget is adopted; Wenko reiterated that the submitted preliminary figures represent a ceiling that can only be reduced prior to final adoption.