Bismarck, N.D. – The Bismarck City Commission unanimously approved the city’s preliminary budget for 2026 during its regular meeting on July 22. The budget outlines key investments in public safety, infrastructure, and municipal operations, with final approval scheduled for the commission’s first regular meeting in September.
Mayor Michael Schmitz emphasized the city’s commitment to balancing immediate needs with long-term priorities. He noted ongoing uncertainty regarding new property tax caps and their impact on the city and residents, stating that officials are still evaluating the calculation methods for these caps.
The 2026 preliminary budget projects total expenses of approximately $484.8 million. General fund revenues are expected to reach just over $71.2 million, with expenditures slightly exceeding $72.7 million. Property taxes are projected to generate $36.7 million, which will not fully cover the public safety portion of the general fund budget, estimated at $40.8 million.
The budget process began on May 31, with city departments submitting funding requests to the Finance Department. These requests were reviewed by the budget committee, which met with department directors and portfolio commissioners throughout June.
“The City of Bismarck’s budget process is very collaborative,” said Finance Director Dmitriy Chernyak. “We hold dozens of meetings and thoroughly analyze data and requests. We take the stewardship of our community’s tax dollars very seriously.”
In July, the budget committee shifted focus toward working with city commissioner portfolio holders to refine the budget, culminating in the preliminary budget presentation at the July 22 commission meeting.
Several major projects from the previous year’s budget remain in focus, including the city building renovation, Emerald Ash Borer prevention efforts, the new enterprise resource planning system, and the police station land purchase.
Additional proposed projects that could affect the 2026 budget include the Airport Runway 3-21 rehabilitation, airport terminal upgrades, AXON software implementation for police body cameras, improvements to the event center, continued funding for the equipment replacement program, construction of fire station No. 6, purchase of two fire trucks, continued work on the Hay Creek Lift Station, police station development, street and highway improvements, annual street maintenance, replacement of traffic signals and streetlights, and ongoing expansion of the water treatment plant.
The city requested funding for 12.5 full-time equivalent positions in 2026. The budget committee recommended funding 6.5 of these positions. Currently, Bismarck employs approximately 670 full-time and 250 part-time staff annually. Proposed staff additions include a communications officer (0.5 FTE), emergency preparedness specialist (partial), engagement officer, legal assistant, human resources generalist, police records technician, senior human relations generalist, and water plant operator.
City Commissioner Anne Cleary, who chaired the budget committee, highlighted the challenging nature of budget decisions. “Every preliminary budget reflects tough choices and results from thoughtful debate and compromise,” she said. “While approval of the preliminary budget is an important step, it is not the final step. We look forward to the community engagement and discussion this budget will generate.”
A public hearing on the 2026 budget will be held on September 9 during the regular City Commission meeting. Meetings are typically held at 5:15 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in the Tom Baker Meeting Room, located on the lower level of the City/County Building at 221 North Fifth Street.
