Central ND News

The Bismarck City Commission has approved the city’s 2026 final budget, with discussions centered on staffing levels and their effect on finances. The decision was made during the commission’s regular meeting on September 9.

The city employs around 670 full-time staff members and between 200 and 300 part-time workers depending on the season. Personnel expenses, including salaries and benefits, are estimated at nearly $85 million for the year.

Total projected expenditures for 2026 are about $350.7 million. General fund revenues are expected to surpass $72.2 million, while general fund spending is set at just over $79.8 million. Property taxes should generate $36.7 million, which will not fully cover the $40.8 million designated for public safety in the general fund.

As required by state law, House Bill 1176 was applied to the budget process this year, limiting property tax revenue growth to a maximum of three percent annually.

“Finalizing a budget is a marathon,” said Bismarck Finance Director Dmitriy Chernyak. “For many of us, these discussions start in March and run through September. It’s a lot of what-if scenarios and collaboration between the budget committee, commission and staff. Every year, we’re grateful for all the hard work and sacrifices people are willing to make as we try to make very difficult decisions in the best interest of the organization and the community.”

Among major capital projects funded in this budget cycle is an initial allocation for a new police station—a project that will be financed using proceeds from a half-cent sales tax measure approved by voters last November that earmarks funds for public safety infrastructure improvements. The facility is projected to cost $80 million; construction of the current station was completed in 1979.

The Bismarck Airport will also see significant upgrades: Runway 3-21 will undergo rehabilitation costing $15.3 million, while an expansion of its commercial terminal will require another $18 million in investment. At the meeting, Airport Director Greg Haug announced that more than $8.6 million in federal grant funding had been awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) toward these efforts; commissioners unanimously voted to accept this grant with Mayor Mike Schmitz authorized to sign electronically.

“Capital improvement projects are critical for our community,” said Bismarck Mayor Mike Schmitz. “They are often large infrastructure items that catch people’s attention because of their price tag, but they are also immensely valuable to the community’s well-being.”

Other capital improvements approved include:

- Water Treatment Plant Expansion and Improvements Phase 1 ($30.6 million)

- Tyler Parkway Extension ($16.7 million)

- Haycreek Lift Station & Force Main ($14.1 million)

- Asphalt Street Resurfacing and Reconstructing ($12.3 million)

General fund reserves totaling $20 million have been committed—though not necessarily spent next year—to various projects such as emerald ash borer prevention ($1 million), land acquisition for a police station ($5 million), city building renovations ($5 million), implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system ($2 million), purchase of a fire truck for Station #6 ($1.2 million), and construction of Station #6 Fire Station ($5.8 million).

A total of 12.5 full-time equivalent positions were requested across departments; ultimately funding was recommended or approved for several roles including communications officer (0.5 FTE), emergency preparedness specialist (partial FTE), engagement officer, legal assistant, human resources generalist, police records technician, senior human relations generalist, water plant operator—and after discussion at Monday's meeting—a municipal court position advocated by Judge Amanda Harris was added pending standard review procedures.

City staff will receive a three percent cost-of-living adjustment plus up to two percent merit-based raises next year; however salaries for elected officials—including mayoral and commissioner posts—will remain frozen at current rates through 2026.

“In a year in which we are doing a lot of routine maintenance and lifts that we were expecting to make, with House Bill 1176, I think there will be years where, because of big equipment expenses or big projects that come across the board faster, we are going to have to make adjustments to salaries because of the cap,” said Commissioner Anne Cleary who chaired this year's budget committee.“This year fortunately is not one those years.I don’t want do decrease sake doing decrease where we're not being held it by three percent.”

In fiscal terms,the city's financial calendar runs January through December.More details about annual budgets,past reports,and related documents can be found online at its Financial Reports page.