How Williston North Dakota’s 2026 Budget Impact City Police

The City of Williston is preparing for a near-balanced Fiscal Year 2026 budget, but meeting that goal requires notable changes across several departments—including public safety. While city leaders emphasize that essential emergency services will remain intact, residents can expect to see adjustments in how the Williston Police Department and other safety agencies deliver their services.

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Williston Police Prioritize Public Safety While Adapting to Budget Cuts

According to City Administrator Shawn Wenko, the focus is on “maintaining core emergency response while ensuring fiscal responsibility.” That means no layoffs, but it does involve the elimination of open positions, consolidation of certain duties, and rethinking how specialized services are delivered.

Read More: Williston Fire Department Updates Response Plans

For the Police Department, the changes are largely centered on staffing efficiency and fleet management. Police Chief Steven Gutknecht stressed that public safety remains the department’s top priority, even with leaner resources. “The men and women of the Williston Police Department are committed to protecting and serving the Citizens of Williston,” Gutknecht said. “Even with these directed budget cuts we will work with what we have and do our best to keep Williston safe.”

Key adjustments within the WPD include:

• Position Consolidation: Some sworn and civilian roles will be reassigned or merged. This will affect several divisions including investigations, patrol, records, and community services. The goal is to maximize personnel coverage while reducing administrative costs.

• Streamlined Specialized Units: Programs such as traffic enforcement and canine operations will be scaled back. These resources won’t disappear entirely but will operate in a more limited capacity, with emphasis shifting to core patrol functions and emergency response.

• Extended Use of Patrol Vehicles: Police cruisers will remain in service past their standard replacement mileage. While this strategy saves immediate capital costs, the department will rely on enhanced maintenance schedules to ensure vehicles remain safe and reliable.

These adjustments mean we may notice changes in how services are provided, particularly when it comes to specialized support or the visibility of certain programs. However, city leaders stress that fundamental safety—emergency calls, patrol response, and investigations into serious crimes—remains fully protected.