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Williston adopts $195.05 million 2026 budget with modest fee and rate increases
Summary
The Williston City Commission on Sept. 23 adopted a $195,050,399 budget for 2026 that trims capital and staffing requests, maintains a 3% merit pool, and includes modest increases to property taxes and utility rates; commissioners approved the budget 5-0.
The Williston City Commission adopted the City of Williston 2026 budget on Sept. 23, approving Resolution 25-019 after a public hearing and questions from residents.
City Administrator Shawn Wenko and Finance Director Hercules Cummings presented a budget showing $195,050,399 in revenues and $195,031,635 in expenditures, leaving a projected surplus of about $19,000. Wenko said staff reduced capital requests and operating expenses and implemented a hiring freeze and attrition that together trimmed roughly 25 positions while preserving a 3% merit increase pool for remaining employees.
The commission was told the budget includes modest revenue adjustments: a 3% increase in property taxes, a 5% increase in water and sewer rates (with the summer rate structure retained), a $0.50-per-month increase in the household recycling fee (to $2.00/month), and an approximately $1-per-month increase in landfill fees for the average household. Finance Director Hercules Cummings said the city budgeted gross production tax (GPT) receipts at about $28 million and is projecting year-end debt principal of roughly $248 million with annual principal-and-interest payments of about $41 million.
During the public hearing, resident Dan Shupe asked which projects were deferred to balance the budget and how deferred projects would be reintroduced. City Engineer David Juma said staff reprioritized capital projects, in some cases accelerating work into 2025 to capitalize on lower costs, pursuing state revolving loan options and special assessment districts where appropriate. Resident Loni Steppler asked whether GPT assumptions reflected a $60-per-barrel oil price; Cummings replied the GPT estimate was lowered based on state guidance and market information and noted historical budgeting typically used a conservative GPT estimate.
Wenko described reductions in public safety spending compared with 2025 and said emergency services would be maintained, though some nonessential equipment and responses may be scaled back. Capital equipment requests totaled about $39 million before reductions; the city cut roughly $10 million from that list in the budget process.
After discussion and no further public comment, the commission voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution 25-019 and the 2026 budget.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 25-019 (2026 budget): Approved, vote 5-0.
What happens next The budget is effective for fiscal year 2026. Commission and staff said they will continue to monitor revenues and may revisit projects if new funding becomes available or emergencies arise.
