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Grafton council gives first reading to 2026 budget ordinance, schedules Sept. 8 public hearing
Summary
The Grafton City Council unanimously gave first reading Aug. 4 to a $14.98 million preliminary 2026 city budget and set a public hearing and second reading for Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. The proposal reduces the mill levy and includes a 2% employee COLA and a six-month Apprentice Lineman position.
The Grafton City Council on Aug. 4 gave first reading to the 2026 Annual Appropriation Bill, advancing a proposed $14,982,100 city budget and scheduling a public hearing and second reading for Sept. 8 at 6:00 p.m.
Administrator Nick Ziegelmann presented the preliminary budget, saying the package calls for a General Fund of $3,119,960; Special Revenue Funds of $594,530; Debt Service of $1,452,540; Trust & Agency of $46,530; Internal Service of $59,350; and Enterprise funds of $9,709,190. Ziegelmann said most changes reflect a legislative 3% cap and that the proposed budget would lower the mill levy from 115.98 to 110.22.
Ziegelmann told the council the proposal includes a 2% cost-of-living increase for employees and the addition of a six-month Apprentice Lineman position. He said health insurance premiums are expected to rise about 10.76 percent. Line-item changes cited in the presentation included a $228,845 (6.17%) increase in salaries and benefits, a $164,530 (2.03%) increase in maintenance and operations, and a $241,165 rise in debt service. Overall expenditures are up $634,540, or 4.42 percent, compared with the prior year.
Ziegelmann also said property taxes account for roughly 30 percent of General Fund revenue and that about 8.5 percent of the total budgeted expenditures are covered by property taxes.
Mayor Chris West thanked staff for preparing the budget.
Council member Greg Young moved, and Council member Brian Sieben seconded, to give first reading to an ordinance titled "AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED 'ANNUAL APPROPRIATION BILL' APPROPRIATING THE SUMS OF MONEY NECESSARY TO DEFRAY THE EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES OF THE CITY OF GRAFTON, NORTH DAKOTA, AND MAKING THE ANNUAL TAX LEVY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2026, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2026." On roll call the seven council members present — Brad Burianek, Kylen Kostrzewski, Loree Osowski, Phil Ray, Brian Sieben, Darrin Wollitz and Greg Young — voted in favor; none voted against. Council member Donavon McMillian was absent. Mayor West declared the motion carried.
The council set a public hearing and second reading of the appropriation bill for Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. The special meeting adjourned after the vote.
