Minot City Council Meeting at 11/2/26 at 5:30 p.m.

The City of Minot regular City Council meeting was held November 2, 2026. The Finance Director presented the third-quarter financial dashboard, reporting that normalized projections showed $57 million in revenue, $71.2 million in spending, and $14.2 million in reserve use—about $400,000 favorable to budget. Staff said a budget amendment related to police staffing would be brought forward later. The Finance Director also reported a procurement control implemented about six weeks earlier: purchases exceeding $1,000 require an approved purchase order before ordering. Council unanimously approved budget amendments for a Street Division tandem-axle truck, Fire Department protective equipment funded by an NDCF grant, a dispatch donation from the Minot Magic City Lions, and replacement of two police canines and related 2027 training, supported by Shields and a 701 Canine Foundation grant. The Storm Sewer Division slope mower and vac truck amendments passed 6–1 each. Council also unanimously approved the Axon Enterprise contract, consolidating existing services—including Tasers, body cameras, in-car video, and ALPR—with staff citing approximately $500,000 annually and $300,000 in savings over the contract term.

Council unanimously approved proceeding to bid on Phase One of the police department remodel, with a $5 million project allocation and bids tentatively scheduled to open December 8; the roof replacement was included as an alternate, and members emphasized prioritizing facility needs if bids exceed available funds. Council also unanimously approved Option Two for the Public Works water/sewer building remodel after initial bids for a broader project came in around $3.5 million; the revised approach was described as roughly half that amount. On tax-foreclosed properties, council unanimously approved Option Two to acquire 26 properties from Ward County for $5 each, with the aim of reselling them and returning them to the tax roll. A resident also raised concerns about disability access and public participation procedures; no related procurement action was taken.