Ward County commissioners adjust 2026 allocations for outside entities, citing $138,675 net reduction

During July 30 budget discussions the Ward County Commission adjusted 2026 allocation amounts for multiple outside entities and recorded a total additional reduction of $138,675.

The minutes list the revised allocations: Berthold EDC — $13,000 (must provide financial statements before final budget approval); De Sour EDC — $15,200; Makoti Development Corporation — $1,000; Minot Area Chamber EDC — $63,000; Kenmare Community Dev. Corp. #2 — $20,000; Lake County Historical Society — $12,000; Makoti Threshers Society — $11,250; Ward County Historical Society — $35,250; Ryder Historical Society — $1,875; North Dakota State Fair — $225,000; and Rehab Services — $12,500.

The minutes state these amounts were set “through discussion” during the meeting; no motion text, mover, or roll-call vote is recorded for the allocation adjustments in the minutes. Department heads present for budget discussions included Brian Vangsness, Derrill Fick, Jason Blowers, Kelly Haugan, Kerrianne Boetcher, Nichole Degenstein, Marisa Haman (Auditor/Treasurer), Noreen Wilkie, Robert Roed, and Roza Larson (State’s Attorney).

The record does not provide a breakdown of which county budget lines were reduced to produce the $138,675 net reduction nor state whether additional approvals are required before the allocations become final. The condition attached to the Berthold EDC allocation requires that the organization provide financial statements before the county’s final budget approval.