DICKINSON — The Dickinson City Commission met Feb. 20 to review staffing for the upcoming recall election, approve financial expenditures and discuss infrastructure improvements across the city.
Recall election staffing and cost estimates
Deputy City Administrator Linda Carlson provided an update on the recall election, in which Commissioner Jason Fridrich is the only candidate on the ballot. The city is legally required to move forward with the election despite having just one candidate. Officials estimate the election will cost approximately $22,000 in taxpayer funds.
Evan Butow / The Dickinson Press
Carlson announced that Joan Heckaman and Susan Westfall have accepted positions as election judges. Election judges are responsible for initialing and delivering ballots to voters and performing duties assigned by the election inspector.
Additionally, Ron Keller, Les Dykema, Peggy Meduna and JoAnn Heiser have agreed to serve as poll clerks, with Heiser also serving as the absentee officer. Poll clerks verify voter IDs, manage poll books and update voter information as needed.
All election workers will be paid $21 per hour.
Financial report: Sales tax revenue increases
Carlson presented the monthly financial report, noting that Dickinson collected $748,670 from the city’s 1% sales tax in January 2025, an increase of $258,499 from the previous year.
The 0.5% sales tax generated $374,000 in revenue, up $129,000 from January 2024.
Despite the revenue increase, the General Fund balance declined from $10.3 million at the start of January to $8.7 million due to city expenditures.
The city has collected 6% of its total expected general fund revenue for 2025 but has spent 12% of the budgeted amount.
HR updates: Revised grievance policies, fill open positions
Photo Provided by the City of Dickinson
Human Resources Director Shelly Nameniuk briefed the commission on ongoing revisions to the city’s HR policies and efforts to fill vacant positions in city departments including police, fire and EMS, public works and community development.
Nameniuk said the city is working with an employment attorney to revise grievance policies and was advised to partner with HighRoad Partners, a Fargo-based agency, for a faster and more cost-effective process.
HighRoad Partners proposed a fee of either $1,500 or $2,500, depending on the scope of work. The commission unanimously approved the partnership.
Public works: Hazardous tree improvement district
Public Works Director Aaron Praus proposed the creation of a Hazardous Tree Improvement District, which would allow residents to request assistance from the City Forester in removing trees deemed hazardous.
The proposal includes a voluntary special assessment over 10 years to cover the costs. The commission unanimously approved the plan, which follows a similar improvement district for sidewalk repairs.
Infrastructure funding approved
The commission approved multiple funding requests for public works and infrastructure projects, including:
- A $189,075 contract with Civil Science for road maintenance engineering services including manhole surveying, improvement district documentation and bid assistance
- An additional $12,530 in funding for Moore Engineering for work on the 10th Ave. E. – Villard to Museum Drive project
- Contracts for Barr Engineering to conduct initial engineering services for the Manns and Queen City Dam projects
- A letter of support for a cost-sharing agreement between Dickinson and the Department of Water Resources, a required step for state approval
The next Dickinson City Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4 at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall. More information is available on the city’s website.
