The North Dakota State Fair presented a 2026 budget request of $300,000 to the Ward County Commission Tuesday as the commission continued hearing from organizations and department heads as part of its budgeting process.

The State Fair request is unchanged from 2025.

The commission also received requests from Souris Basin Planning Council for $38,641 for federal grant matching and from Kenmare Community Development Corp. for $35,000 toward the director’s salary, recreational amenities and marketing.

The commission also received a six-month update on the opioid use disorder treatment program. Jail Commander Paul Olthoff said a $100,000 federal grant for the program was withdrawn as part of federal budget cuts, but the county received a $224,000 Opioid Response Grant through the state. The state money, when combined with opioid lawsuit settlement dollars through Ward County and the City of Minot, should ensure longevity for the program, Olthoff said.