Three New Commissioners Just Inherited A Pretty Big Budget Conversation In Williston

The City of Williston’s preliminary Fiscal Year 2027 budget projects $199.7 million in revenues and $222.4 million in expenditures, resulting in a preliminary projected deficit of $22.7 million as the City begins its annual budget review process.

City Administrator Shawn Wenko presented the preliminary budget to the Williston City Commission on July 28, noting the document is intended as a starting point for discussion rather than the City’s final financial plan.

The preliminary budget reflects nearly all departmental requests submitted during Administration’s budget meetings earlier this year, along with revenue estimates based on current economic trends, projected revenues, and year-to-date financial performance.

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Administration said the approach allows the newly elected City Commission to establish priorities through the public budget process rather than inheriting a budget that has already been reduced.

Budget process begins after Commission transition

The FY2027 budget process differs from previous years following the June municipal election, which brought three newly elected commissioners to the City Commission.

Under a typical budget cycle, Administration and the Commission would have spent several months reviewing departmental requests, discussing priorities, identifying reductions, and refining expenditures before the preliminary budget was presented.

Because of the timing of the election and transition of the governing body, Administration said those discussions were not possible before the preliminary budget was prepared.

The projected deficit is not expected to represent the City’s final financial position after the budget process is complete. Administration said the Commission will review department priorities, staffing requests, capital improvements, infrastructure investments, revenue assumptions, fee adjustments, reserve use, and long-term financial strategies before adopting the final FY2027 budget.

Revenue projections and staffing requests

The preliminary budget includes several major revenue projections, including $12 million in city sales tax revenue, $28 million in gross production tax revenue, $13.5 million in public safety sales tax revenue, $5.45 million in property tax revenue, and $6.2 million in water revenue.

Other projected revenues include $3.15 million from sewer revenue, $3.5 million from refuse fees, $2.8 million from landfill fees, $1.5 million from hospitality tax revenue, $600,000 from occupancy tax revenue, $400,000 from the cemetery levy, and $650,000 in oil royalties.

Administration and Finance said revenue estimates will continue to be reviewed during budget hearings as additional 2026 financial information becomes available.

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The preliminary budget also includes several departmental staffing requests, including an assistant city administrator, part-time communications specialist, assistant planner, police records specialist, school resource officer, light equipment operator, diesel mechanic, assistant city engineer, three fire lieutenant positions, and five firefighter/EMT positions.

The budget also includes funding for a future fleet management position pending additional organizational review.

Personnel cost increases included in the preliminary budget include a projected 15% health insurance increase, retirement obligations, pension contributions, and the proposed Longevity Bonus Program, which is estimated to cost approximately $249,307 annually.

Public safety and infrastructure priorities

Public safety remains one of the City’s largest operational investments in the preliminary budget.

Administration said discussions with Police and Fire leadership focused on staffing, fleet needs, facilities, apparatus, training, equipment, and long-term planning.

Budget discussions are expected to include police staffing, Records Division workload, the School Resource Officer program, fire staffing, ambulance replacement, ladder truck funding, fleet replacement, public safety facility planning, and long-term training investments.

Infrastructure also remains a major priority, with Administration, Engineering, and Public Works continuing to refine the 2027 Capital Improvement Program.

Current infrastructure discussions include major street reconstruction projects, lead service line replacement, pavement preservation, utility infrastructure, engineering studies, and continued implementation of the City’s long-term Capital Improvement Program.

Budget hearings scheduled

Administration has proposed public budget hearings for Aug. 24, Aug. 27, and Aug. 28, 2026.

The meetings will allow the Commission, Administration, staff, and members of the public to review departmental budgets, discuss priorities, evaluate expenditures, and provide input before final adoption.

The City’s final budget must be submitted by Oct. 10, 2026. Because the Commission’s first regularly scheduled October meeting is Oct. 13, Administration said final adoption will need to occur at either the Sept. 8 or Sept. 22 Commission meeting unless a special meeting is scheduled.

Administration recommended approval of the FY2027 preliminary budget and setting the final budget adoption hearings for Sept. 8 and Sept. 22.

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The preliminary budget dashboard shows total projected revenues of $199,738,276 and total projected expenses of $222,413,060, for a projected deficit of $22,674,784 across all funds.

See the full preliminary budget HERE.