Commissioners clarify budget, address community concerns
M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
In the face of public concern and social media chatter over what some residents see as a significant increase in spending, McKenzie County Commissioners are defending their 2026 preliminary budget as a fiscally responsible plan that balances community needs with taxpayer burden.
A recent preliminary budget release from McKenzie County has sparked a debate among some residents, with many expressing concern over what they perceive as large spending increases. However, county officials say the public may be misunderstanding the budget, and that a closer look reveals a commitment to fiscal responsibility and a flat budget in practical terms.
McKenzie County Commissioner Kathy Skarda emphasized that the preliminary budget, which can only be reduced and not increased, is a balancing act between essential services and taxpayer burden. “The budget must balance the need for essential services and infrastructure improvements while minimizing the taxpayer’s burden,” she said. “The final budget reflects needs vs. wants.”
According to Commissioner Skarda, the 2026 preliminary budget is an increase of only 1.75 percent over the 2025 budget, which is below the current rate of inflation. Skarda and fellow Commissioner, Joel Brown, both stated that this effectively makes the budget a “flat or even decreasing” budget in real terms.
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