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County hears more budget requests

Additional area organizations presented 2026 funding requests to the Ward County Commission Tuesday.

The county, which has been hearing requests as it drafts a spending plan for 2026, received new requests from Rehab Services (RSI), $13,520, up from $12,500 received in 2025; DeSour Valley Economic Development Corp., Burlington, $86,700, up from $30,000; YouthWorks, $98,210, up from $71,128; Souris River Joint Board, $690,000, up from $670,000; and Domestic Violence Crisis Center, $48,677, up from $47,259. The commission also had approved an additional $12,960 for DVCC this year to cover a shortfall in funds from the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

DeSour Valley’s increase reflects plans to add a pickleball court, repurpose a city sign, cover increased splash pad maintenance and invest in marketing and advertising. President Andy Fimrite said the organization also increased its request for funds toward its community scholarships for youth pursuing higher education or vocational training.

“I think it’s going to be challenging for us as a commission to approve some of these bigger items, like $40,000 for the pickleball court, when you are sitting on a pretty large cash reserve,” Commissioner Miranda Schuler told Fimrite. She said the commission will be hard pressed to provide extra dollars to outside groups when it is facing the need to cut about $1.6 million in county spending.

Ryan Ackerman, administrator for the SRJB, reported on the progress of the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project, which was appropriated $81.1 million by the N.D. Legislature for the 2025-27 biennium. About $40 million is to be provided locally from Minot’s city sales tax to advance about $120 million of work during the biennium, he said.

In addition, the project will begin accessing between $70 million and $80 million in federal dollars for the Maple Diversion phase in late 2026. The diversion portion is expected to take five construction seasons to complete.

Ackerman estimated, to date, the flood project is about 55% funded and 40-45% completed.

In addition to making a funding request toward youth short-term care services in Minot, YouthWorks Executive Director Mark Heinert announced the organization has received a grant to work with area schools on interventions with at-risk youth as part of an increased focus on prevention.

The commission also continued hearing budget requests from county departments and boards. The Ward County Water Resource Board submitted a request for $756,000. The board is involved in levee maintenance, drainage issues, channel and conveyance maintenance and providing technical assistance to zoning officials.

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