Williston projecting $16 million deficit in preliminary budget

WILLISTON, N.D. (KUMV) - The City of Williston is staring down a $16 million deficit, according to its preliminary budget.

City Finance Director Hercules Cummings said he’s projecting more than $210 million in expenses and around $194 million in revenue.

Mayor Howard Klug said the rising expenses stem from several items, including capital investment projects and employee benefit costs.

“We are at the point that we need to make sure we start getting into the neighborhoods and fix the pipes. We got a lot of old infrastructure out there,” said Klug.

He said the commissioners will meet with city departments to see where they can make cuts ahead of the final budget.

“It’s my goal that by the end of August, we’ll have a final budget in place that’s pretty doggone close to being balanced,” said Klug.

Last year, the city started with a $20 million deficit and cut it down to about $6 million.

Officials said it was necessary to deficit spend to make sure construction projects started at the Williston Square Development.