Bismarck City Commission Meeting - September 9, 2025

The Board of City Commissioners met on September 9, 2025, at 5:15 PM in the Tom Baker Room of the City County Building. The agenda included a continued public hearing on an annexation, a public hearing on the 2026 city budget, consideration of a street improvement district bid, and other administrative items. Extensive discussion centered on the municipal court's workload, compensation adjustments, and budget amendments.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

Public Comments

• No members of the public spoke during the general public comment period.

Public Hearings

• Annexation (Ordinance 6635) – A continued public hearing on annexation of part of Lot 1, Block 2, Northern Sky Second Edition. The applicant requested a second continuance to September 23, 2025, due to last-minute financing. The commission approved the continuance unanimously.
• 2026 City Budget (Ordinance 6638) – Extensive public hearing and discussion. Municipal Court Judge Amanda presented data: 99,484 new cases over five years, 25% caseload growth in the prior year, and an average of 450 warrants issued per month. She noted an unfunded state mandate to become a court of record and requested funding for a deputy clerk position (fully loaded cost of $88,426). Statistics from comparable cities were provided: Fargo (62,839 cases over five years), West Fargo (20,490), Grand Forks (35,000), and Bismarck (99,484). The judge stated the court would be unable to operate under the proposed 2026 budget without additional staff. Commissioners debated compensation adjustments (3% cost-of-living plus 2% merit vs. a flat 3% dollar increase), a proposal to freeze commissioner salaries, and the addition of the deputy clerk FTE.

Discussion Items

• Compensation Adjustments – Commissioner Rish proposed a flat 3% dollar increase for all employees (plus a 2% merit pool) to address pay compression. Finance Director Dimitri noted this would not adjust pay ranges and would create further compression. The motion failed (2-3). The original budget committee recommendation of 3% cost-of-living plus 2% merit was retained.
• Commissioner Salary Freeze – Commissioner Connolly moved to freeze commissioner and mayor salaries for the 2026 budget year. After discussion, the motion passed (4-1, Commissioner Rish opposed).
• Addition of Deputy Clerk Position – Commissioner Zinker moved to add a deputy municipal court clerk FTE (cost $88,426) to the 2026 budget. The motion passed unanimously. It was clarified that the position still requires approval by the budget committee before hiring.
• Fire Department Vehicle Replacement – Commissioner Rish moved to remove the replacement of a 2012 Ford Expedition (62,000 miles) from the fire department budget, citing its good condition. The motion failed (2-3) with concerns about adhering to the fleet replacement plan.
• Reserves Dedication – Staff presented a plan to commit $20 million in reserves for specific future projects (emerald ash borer prevention, police station land, city building renovation, ERP system replacement, fire station 6, and fire trucks). This was included in the budget motion.
• Community Development Director Transition – City Administrator Jason announced the resignation of Community Development Director Ben Aerith, effective that Friday. Planning Manager Daniel Narin will serve as acting director. Jason indicated a pause to evaluate the department structure before filling the position permanently.
• Calendar Changes – The commission approved reducing December 2025 to a single meeting on December 16 (third Tuesday) instead of two meetings. The change was also suggested for future years.
• Airport Grant – Airport Director Greg Haug requested emergency approval to accept a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant of $8,673,500 (95% share) for rehabilitation of Runway 32/1 and Taxiway D. The grant offer required a response by September 12, 2025. The commission voted unanimously to accept the grant and authorize the mayor to sign electronically.

Key Outcomes

• Annexation public hearing continued to September 23, 2025.
• The 2026 budget ordinance (6638) was adopted as amended, including the addition of the deputy clerk FTE, use of $1,747,000 from reserves to cover the one-time deficit, and a freeze on commissioner salaries for 2026. Vote was 4-1 (Commissioner Connolly opposed).
• Street Improvement District 589 awarded to Knife River Corporation for $681,793.41; site plan approval held for a developer who has not paid their prepayment.
• December commission meeting reduced to one meeting on December 16, 2025.
• FAA grant of $8,673,500 accepted for runway rehabilitation; mayor authorized to sign.
• Daniel Narin appointed acting Community Development Director.