Minot, ND- City Council met in a Special Session the evening of Tuesday July 30th for a Q&A on the 2025 budget between them and City staff. This followed the initial rollout of the 2025 budget by City Manager Harold Stewart on July 16th. City Councilmembers have had 2 weeks to look over the budget proposal and now can ask specific questions to different City staff from any department.
The session began with the HR department who were questioned on several matters, beginning with further clarifying the proposed new pay plans. The favored “hybrid-model” includes a consistent step-based increase, while allowing for positions that are falling behind competitive standards to receive larger raises when necessary to match those deficits. The discussion continued around questions on the need to hire new staff and the sustainability of long-term large increment raises to staff versus the need to retain current employees.
The Finance department was then questioned extensively, as the Council would go over a few points, starting with the necessity of keeping such large cash reserves in many areas or if many of those could be shrunk in need of tax relief. They continued by asking about the need for a $28millon increase in the 2025 budget to find out that it was largely being funded by state and federal sources, before again debating the need to shrink operating reserves.
Chief of Police John Klug then came to the podium to discuss the budget for the police department. Much discussion would revolve around the funding for the Drug Task Force (DTF) and the need to improve the department's facilities. There's full expectation that any DTF funding will eventually be covered by grants, and the plans to revamp police facilities would be revisited in fall post budget process.
After brief questioning of the Fire Department and Inspections, the Engineering department would be up. Questioning would be focused on the need for some consultant fees, what all would be included with the $3million budget increase, and how much it would affect the public. While staffing would be pushed to the limits, this would hopefully allow for larger, much needed projects to occur.
The meeting continued with questioning of the Airport, Cemetery, Library, and public transport. The council discussed the best way to proceed with adopting the preferred pay plan, opting to defer to a later date. They would then unanimously approve of moving forward with the preliminary budget, which allows for further discussion and maneuverability without fully accepting it.
Be sure to watch out for our in-depth coverage upcoming at The Dakotan on all the departments Q&A sessions as well as upcoming interviews with City Staff and Councilmembers on the budget.
Watch the Special Session here :Minot City Council Special Meeting 7/30/24 (youtube.com)
