Missouri Slope local government: who decides and how to be heard

Updated Nov. 3, 2026

County commissions in Morton and Burleigh counties set property tax levies, adopt the county budget, maintain county roads and bridges, fund the sheriff's office and jail, and decide zoning and subdivision questions in the rural areas outside city limits. City commissions in Mandan and Bismarck, and the city council in Lincoln, decide city budgets, streets, water and sewer, police and fire, and land use inside city limits. All of them meet in public, and North Dakota law requires a public comment period at every regular meeting of a city or county governing body. Some seats were on the Nov. 3 ballot: the three Burleigh County Commission seats whose terms end Dec. 7, 2026. New members take office after that.

For the decisions coming up each week, read the Sunday Missouri Slope look-ahead.

What North Dakota law guarantees

North Dakota's open meetings and open records laws are in chapter 44-04 of the North Dakota Century Code. The Attorney General publishes a plain-language Open Meetings Manual (2026 edition) and Open Records Manual, along with shorter guides on its manuals and guides page.

• Open meetings. Meetings of a public entity must be open to the public unless a specific law allows them to be closed. A meeting happens whenever a quorum of a governing body discusses public business, in person or electronically. Anyone may attend and may record or broadcast the meeting. (NDCC 44-04-19)
• Public comment. Since Aug. 1, 2025, every regular meeting of the governing body of a city, county, township, school district, park district or water resource district "must include an opportunity for an individual to provide public comment." Speakers must give their name and address in writing, and the address is kept confidential. The body may limit comment by time per speaker, by total time, and by topic, to items on the current agenda and at least one preceding agenda, and it must adopt a written public comment policy. The requirement does not apply to special meetings. (NDCC 44-04-20.1)
• Notice and agendas. Every meeting needs public notice giving the date, time and location, the topics to be considered where practicable, and the general subject of any expected executive session. The notice must be posted at the entity's main office, at the meeting location on the day of the meeting, and on the entity's website if it has one, at the same time members are notified. Once an agenda is prepared and given to members, it must be posted and provided to the public the same way. A special or emergency meeting may take up only the topics in its notice, and notice of special meetings must also go to the official newspaper. Anyone may ask to be sent notice of a body's meetings. (NDCC 44-04-20)
• Executive sessions. A body may close only the part of a meeting that a law specifically allows, such as talking with its attorney about pending or reasonably predictable litigation, negotiation strategy when an open discussion would hurt the public's position, or records that are confidential or exempt. It must announce the topics and the legal authority in the open meeting, record the closed session, keep to the announced topics, and take any final action in the open part of the meeting. (NDCC 44-04-19.1 and 44-04-19.2)
• Minutes. Minutes must be kept of every open meeting. At a minimum they list the members attending, the times the meeting started and ended, the topics discussed, each motion, the result of every vote and each member's vote on every roll call vote. Minutes are public records, and the public may see them before they are approved. (NDCC 44-04-21)
• Open records. Records of public entities are open unless a law makes them exempt or confidential. Anyone may ask for records by any available means, and generally does not have to give a reason or show identification. The entity must respond within a reasonable time. Looking at records is generally free; copies are generally limited to 25 cents a page, and after the first free hour an entity may charge up to $25 an hour to locate records. (NDCC 44-04-18; see the Attorney General's Open Records Guide)
• Complaints. Anyone may ask the Attorney General for an opinion on whether a public entity violated the open meetings or open records law. The request must reach the office within 30 days of the violation, or within 90 days for a meeting held without the required notice. Send a letter or an email with your name, the entity, the date and the facts; anonymous requests are not accepted. See how to request an opinion. (NDCC 44-04-21.1)

How to be heard

Agendas usually post a few days before each meeting, so check them early in the week. If something you care about is on the agenda, come to that meeting, especially when it is listed as a public hearing, where anyone may speak on the item. If it is not a hearing, use the public comment period; most of these bodies limit it to items on the current or previous meeting's agenda. You will be asked to write down your name and address. For a topic that is not on any agenda, call or write the office for that body and ask to have it added to a later meeting, or ask a member to bring it up.

Morton County

Morton County Commission

• Members: Nathan Boehm, chair; Andy Zachmeier, vice chair; Jackie Buckley; Raymond Morrell; Paul Tokach. Contact information for each commissioner is on the commissioners page.
• Meets: Second Thursday and fourth Tuesday of each month, 5:30 p.m., Commission Room, Morton County Courthouse, 210 2nd Ave. NW, Mandan. Upcoming meetings are Thursday, Nov. 12; Tuesday, Nov. 24; Thursday, Dec. 10; and Tuesday, Dec. 22. Agendas, packets and minutes are posted on the county's meeting dates and materials page. Packets usually post the Tuesday before a Thursday meeting and the Friday before a Tuesday meeting.
• Watch: Join live on GoToMeeting (no account needed) or by phone at 669-224-3412, access code 370-200-173. Meetings are rebroadcast on Government Access cable channel 2, and replays are on Dakota Media Access.
• To comment: A public comment period comes near the end of each regular meeting agenda. As state law requires, speakers give their name and address in writing. Public hearings are set for specific times on the agenda, and the chair calls for comment during each hearing.
• Contact: County Auditor Dawn Rhone, 701-667-3300, dawn.rhone@mortonnd.gov.

Mandan City Commission

• Members: Mayor James Froelich, who presides; Heidi Belohlavek; Mike Braun; Ryan Heinsohn. One seat is vacant after the death of Commissioner Craig Sjoberg on Aug. 29. A special election for that seat, for a term ending June 30, 2028, is set for Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2027; candidate filings are due by 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, details on the city's elections page.
• Meets: First and third Tuesdays, and occasionally the fifth, at 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise listed, Ed "Bosh" Froehlich Meeting Room, Mandan City Hall, 205 2nd Ave. NW. Upcoming meetings are Tuesday, Nov. 17; Tuesday, Dec. 1; and Tuesday, Dec. 15. Agendas, usually posted by the Friday afternoon before, and approved minutes are on the city's CivicClerk portal. The schedule is on the City Commission page.
• Watch: Live on Government Access cable channels 2 and 602 HD, Radio Access 102.5 FM and the Dakota Media Access live stream. Replays are on Dakota Media Access.
• To comment: Under the city's public comment policy, adopted July 1, 2025, public comment is the first business item at regular meetings. Fill out a speaker card with your name, address and the agenda item, from the current or previous agenda, before the meeting is called to order; a card with missing information disqualifies the speaker. Each speaker gets three minutes, and public comment is limited to 30 minutes in all, though the mayor may extend it. Written comments may go to the city administrator; those received 24 hours before the meeting are given to commissioners ahead of time.
• Contact: City administrator's office, 701-667-3210, for agenda items and meeting information; City Hall, 701-667-3215. To ask for an agenda item, send background information the week before the meeting.

Morton County Planning and Zoning Commission

• Members: Duane Ell Jr., chair; Maria Tomac, vice chair; Mandan City Commissioners Heidi Belohlavek and Mike Braun; Morton County Commissioners Jackie Buckley and Andy Zachmeier; Joseph Camisa Jr.; Mark Doll; Luke Kapella.
• Meets: Usually the fourth Wednesday of the month, with holiday exceptions, at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Room, Morton County Courthouse, 210 2nd Ave. NW, Mandan. The next meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 18. Agendas, draft minutes and packets are on the Planning and Zoning meetings page.
• Watch: Join on GoToMeeting or by phone at 646-749-3122, access code 242-435-693. Replays are on Dakota Media Access.
• To comment: For public comment, give your full name, address and agenda topic in writing before the meeting. People speaking at a public hearing on the current agenda do not need to register in advance.
• Contact: Planning and Zoning Director Natalie Pierce, 701-667-3361, natalie.pierce@mortonnd.gov.

Mandan Planning and Zoning Commission

• Members: Bill Robinson, chair; Jamie McLean, vice chair; Craig Smith; Nick Renner; Victoria Vayda-Hammond; Tanner IntVeld; Mayor James Froelich; Layn Mudder, park district representative; Rick Horn, school board representative; Haley Lang and Ellen Huber, extraterritorial representatives appointed by Morton County. One seat is vacant.
• Meets: Usually the fourth Monday of the month, 5:30 p.m., Ed "Bosh" Froehlich Meeting Room, Mandan City Hall, 205 2nd Ave. NW. Agendas and minutes are on the city's CivicClerk portal; details are on the Planning and Zoning page.
• Watch: Usually live on Dakota Media Access, or replayed at 9 p.m. the night of the meeting on channels 2 and 602 HD. Replays are on Dakota Media Access.
• To comment: Most agenda items are public hearings on zoning and subdivision requests. For how to comment, call the Planning Department.
• Contact: Planning Department, 701-667-3225.

Burleigh County

Burleigh County Commission

• Members: Brian Bitner, chair, and Steve Bakken, vice chair, both with terms through Dec. 4, 2028; Wayne Munson, Steve Schwab and Jerry Woodcox, with terms ending Dec. 7, 2026. Those three seats were on the Nov. 3 ballot. Members are listed on the commission members page.
• Meets: First and third Mondays, 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted, Tom Baker Meeting Room, City/County Office Building, 221 N. 5th St., Bismarck. Upcoming meetings are Monday, Nov. 16; Monday, Dec. 7; and Monday, Dec. 21. The schedule is online, and agendas are posted five days before each meeting on the agendas page, with minutes on their own page.
• Watch: Live on Government Access channels 2 and 602, Radio Access 102.5 FM, freetv.org and Dakota Media Access Facebook Live. Replays are on Dakota Media Access.
• To comment: Under the county's public comment policy, approved March 3, 2026, public comment comes before the consent and regular agendas and is open to Burleigh County residents and landowners. Comments are limited to current agenda items or items from the previous meeting. Write your name and address on the form provided; the chair sets time limits and may also take comment as each item comes up. If you would rather not speak, you may sign the form and mark whether you agree or disagree with a specific item.
• Contact: Burleigh County, 701-222-6718; County Administrator Mary Senger, 701-712-8906. Agenda items are due to the County Auditor's Office by noon five days before the meeting.

Bismarck City Commission

• Members: Mayor Michael Schmitz, who serves as president of the commission; Michael Connelly; Amelia Doll; Matt Hull; John Risch.
• Meets: Second and fourth Tuesdays at 5:15 p.m., Tom Baker Meeting Room, City/County Office Building, 221 N. 5th St., Bismarck. Upcoming meetings are Tuesday, Nov. 10, and Tuesday, Nov. 24. Agendas and minutes are on the city's CivicClerk portal.
• Watch: Live on Government Access channels 2 and 602 HD, Radio Access 102.5 FM, DakotaMediaAccess.org and Facebook Live. Replays are on Dakota Media Access.
• To comment: Public comment is the first item after the call to order and is limited to items on the consent agenda, the regular agenda or the prior meeting's agenda, not including public hearing items. Written comments on public hearing items go to bismarckadmin@bismarcknd.gov by 3:30 p.m. on the meeting day; include the item number. They are forwarded to commissioners and included with the minutes.
• Contact: City Commission office, 701-355-1300; each member has a contact form on the City Commission directory.

Bismarck Planning and Zoning Commission

• Members: Mike Schwartz, chair; Cole Johnson, vice chair; Mayor Michael Schmitz; Burleigh County Commissioner Brian Bitner; City Engineer Gabe Schell; Sheldon Sivak; Conner Swanson; Kendra Taylor; Al Wangler. Two seats representing the extraterritorial area are open.
• Meets: Usually the fourth Wednesday of the month, 5 p.m., Tom Baker Meeting Room, City/County Office Building, 221 N. 5th St., Bismarck. Agendas and minutes are on the CivicClerk portal; details are on the commission page.
• Watch: Replays are on Dakota Media Access. To take part by Zoom, contact the city by 8 a.m. on the meeting day.
• To comment: Write your name and address on the sign-in sheet at the podium. At a public hearing, the public speaks after the applicant. For other public comment, each person may speak for five minutes unless the chair extends it. Written comments, with your name, street address and the project or agenda item, received by 8 a.m. on the hearing day are given to the board. See the city's guide to citizen participation and public participation page.
• Contact: Planning Director Daniel Nairn, 701-355-1854.

Burleigh County Planning and Zoning Commission

• Members: Dennis Agnew, chair; Dale Patrick, vice chair; Burleigh County Commissioners Brian Bitner and Wayne Munson; Bismarck City Commissioners Mike Connelly and Matt Hull; Alvie Jarratt; Bea Streifel; Jim Small.
• Meets: Second Wednesday of the month, 5:15 p.m., Tom Baker Meeting Room, City/County Office Building, 221 N. 5th St., Bismarck. Upcoming meetings are Thursday, Nov. 12, and Wednesday, Dec. 9. Agendas, packets and minutes are on the commission page.
• Watch: Live on Government Access channels 2 and 602, Radio Access 102.5 FM, freetv.org and Dakota Media Access Facebook Live. Replays are on Dakota Media Access.
• To comment: Public comment is open to Burleigh County residents and landowners. At public hearings on plats, zoning changes and ordinance revisions, the applicant and members of the public may speak after the staff presentation.
• Contact: Planning Director Mitch Flanagan, Building/Planning/Zoning Department, 701-221-3727.

Lincoln City Council

• Members: Mayor Keli Berglund. Council Members Anne Artavia, Brandon Schock, Derek Bjornstad and Remick Albitre. Members and their assigned areas are on the city's City Council page.
• Meets: Two Thursdays a month at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 74 Santee Road, Lincoln. Upcoming meetings are Thursday, Nov. 5; Thursday, Nov. 19; and Thursday, Dec. 3. Agendas and packets are on the city's agendas and minutes page.
• Watch: Each agenda gives a Zoom link and call-in number for the live meeting. Replays are on Dakota Media Access.
• To comment: Public comment comes near the start of each regular meeting, after announcements. Give your name and address in writing.
• Contact: City Hall, 701-258-7969, open Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m. to noon; City Administrator Lisa Aune.

Smaller Morton County towns

Glen Ullin, Hebron, New Salem and Flasher each have their own elected city government that sets local budgets, streets and utilities. State law requires each to post notice of its meetings at its main office and to hold a public comment period at regular meetings; call city hall for the meeting schedule.