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Williston adopts $195.0 million 2026 budget with modest rate and tax increases
Summary
The Williston City Commission approved a $195,050,399 2026 budget that includes modest property tax and utility rate increases, reductions in staffing through attrition, and several infrastructure commitments; the final vote was unanimous.
The Williston City Commission approved the city's 2026 budget on Sept. 23, adopting $195,050,399 in revenues against $195,031,635 in expenditures, leaving an approximate $19,000 surplus.
City Administrator Shawn Wenko and Finance Director Hercules Cummings presented the budget, which officials said reduces capital and operating requests, trims the workforce by roughly 25 positions through freezes and attrition, and preserves a 3% merit increase pool for staff. The administration reported a roughly 1.8% overall reduction from 2025 spending, about $474,000.
Key adjustments included a 3% property tax increase (the city said state limits apply), a 5% increase in water and sewer rates while retaining the summer rate structure, a $0.50-per-month rise in the household recycling fee to $2.00/month, and an approximately $1/month rise in landfill fees for the average household. Officials said the public safety budget remains a priority even as some equipment or services may be scaled back for efficiency.
Cummings told commissioners the city budgeted gross production tax (GPT) revenue at $28 million to reflect a lower per-barrel price; he said the figure conservatively accounts for recent market changes and state guidance. The administration also expects about $4.8 million from the sale of city-owned property and noted a Senate-approved allocation intended to offset certain debt relief related to the oil-and-gas industry.
Public commenters asked how deferred projects will be returned to the work plan and about the city's debt burden. City Engineer David Juma said staff rearranged some projects to take advantage of lower 2025 costs, state revolving loans and special assessment districts where appropriate. Finance Director Cummings projected roughly $248 million in debt principal outstanding at year-end with annual debt service near $41 million; he noted varying maturities, including a USDA loan maturing in 2050, and said several obligations have been refinanced or paid off early.
Commission President Howard Klug and other commissioners said the commission will review new project funding if opportunities arise during the year. After the public hearing, the commission voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution 25-019 and finalize the 2026 budget.
Next steps: the budget is final for 2026; commissioners said they will consider individual projects and funding opportunities as proposals arise during the year.
