The Bismarck City Commission unanimously approved the city’s 2026 preliminary budget during its regular meeting on July 22, outlining key investments in public safety, infrastructure and municipal operations. The commission is scheduled to finalize its budget during its first regular meeting in September.
“The approval of the 2026 preliminary budget reflects our commitment to balancing Bismarck’s immediate needs with long-term priorities,” said Bismarck Mayor Michael Schmitz. “That said, we’re navigating some uncertainty – particularly around how new property tax caps will affect our city and our citizens. At this point, we’re still evaluating how these caps are calculated.”
Overall, the 2026 City budget expenses are projected to be about $484.8 million. The general fund revenues are expected to be just over $71.2 million, and expenditures are just over $72.7 million. Property taxes are expected to generate $36.7 million, which again will not fully cover the public safety portion of the general fund budget ($40.8 million).
Budget Process Timeline
The City of Bismarck’s 2026 budget process began on May 31, the deadline for departments to submit requests to the Finance Department. These requests were then compiled and reviewed by the budget committee, which met with each department director and applicable portfolio commissioners.
“The City of Bismarck’s budget process is very collaborative,” said Finance Director Dmitriy Chernyak. “Throughout June, we hold dozens of meetings and people pore over data and requests. We crunch a lot of numbers and evaluate departments and operations from a variety of perspectives. We take the responsibility that comes with stewardship of our community’s tax dollars very seriously.”
As July begins, the budget committee’s conversations shift to focus more on city commissioner portfolio holders to provide direction and input. The preliminary budget is then presented during the final regular July city commission meeting.
Proposed Significant Expenses
As in last year’s process, the City of Bismarck had committed money to several projects that must be accounted for, though not necessarily spent. These include:
- City Building renovation
- Emerald Ash Borer prevention
- New enterprise resource planning system
- Police station land purchase
Additional proposed projects that could impact the 2026 budget include:
- Airport Runway 3-21 rehabilitation
- Airport terminal project
- AXON software for PD body cams
- Event Center Improvement Project (LLR Tax)
- Event Center Operational Loss
- Equipment replacement program (Continued)
- Fire station No. 6
- Fire trucks (2)
- Hay Creek Lift Station (Continued)
- Police station
- Street & highway improvement projects
- Street maintenance projects (Annual)
- Traffic signal and streetlights replacement (Annual)
- Water Treatment Plan Expansion (Continued)
Proposed Staff Additions
A total of 12.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions were requested for 2026. The budget committee recommended funding 6.5 FTEs. The City of Bismarck currently employs about 670 full-time and 250 part-time staff annually.
- Communications Officer (0.5)
- Emergency Preparedness Specialist (partial)
- Engagement Officer
- Legal Assistant
- Human Resources Generalist
- Police Records Technician
- Senior Human Relations Generalist
- Water Plant Operator
Next Steps
“Every preliminary budget reflects tough choices and are the end result of thoughtful debate and compromise,” said City Commissioner Anne Cleary, who led the budget committee. “And while the approval of the preliminary budget is an important step, it is by no means the final step. We look forward to the conversation this budget generates and the engagement it creates from our community.”
A public hearing will be held on Sept. 9 as part of the regular City Commission meeting. City Commission meetings traditionally begin at 5:15 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. These meetings are held in the lower level of the City/County Building (221 North Fifth Street) in the Tom Baker Meeting Room.
Several documents are available online for more insight into the preliminary budget:
Information about previous City of Bismarck annual budgets is also available online.