City Commission Approves Ballot Language for Fire Station 3 Funding Measure

There will be a public information meeting on Monday, Apr. 13 at 6 p.m. at Red Trail Elementary School (4801 37th Ave NW, Mandan) on the Fire Department Sales Tax Initiative. The meeting is open to the public. 

Mar. 17, 2026- At its meeting on March 17, 2026, the Mandan City Commission approved a resolution and ballot language that will allow Mandan voters to consider the future use of an existing City sales tax for fire department facilities.  

The measure will appear on the June 9, 2026, municipal election ballot and asks voters whether the City of Mandan should continue the existing 0.75% sales tax currently dedicated to the Starion Sports Complex once that project is paid off. The Starion Sports Complex is expected to be fully paid off in 2028 –approximately 14 years ahead of schedule.  

If approved by voters, the measure would not create a new tax, but would instead continue the existing sales tax and redirect the revenue beginning in 2028 toward construction of Fire Station 3 and a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC).  

The proposed facility is estimated at approximately $9 million and is intended to improve emergency response coverage for the growing northwest portion of Mandan while also providing a dedicated Emergency Operations Center located outside of the floodplain. The City has selected EAPC Architects Engineers as the project architect, and the design process is currently underway. If approved by voters, the goal would be to have the new fire station constructed and operational by the fall of 2028.  

In addition to the facility, the measure includes funding for a new fire engine (approximately $1.2 million), equipment for that apparatus (approximately $500,000), and a new brush truck (approximately $200,000) to support emergency response operations.  

The Mandan Fire Department plans to host several public information meetings in the coming months to provide residents with detailed information about the proposal and answer questions from the community. The department wants residents to have the opportunity to fully understand the project and the ballot measure before the June election.  

Additional information about meeting dates and locations will be announced in the near future.  

Why is this ballot measure needed? Over the past few years, the City’s long-range planning process has highlighted critical needs within our fire and emergency response system. As Mandan continues to grow, current facilities and infrastructure must be strengthened to keep pace with increasing call volumes, modern operational standards, and evolving community expectations. The 10‑year strategic plan identified top priorities essential for maintaining reliable service: building and equipping Fire Station 3 to include a dedicated Emergency Operations Center, ensuring the upkeep and modernization of our existing fire stations, and securing land for a future Fire Station 4.

As staff continues to monitor system performance, it is important to note that fire response times in northwest Mandan already far exceed the department’s goal of less than four minutes 90% of the time. For example, the travel time from Station 1 to Red Trail Elementary is approximately 11 minutes. If Station 1 crews are committed to another call, Station 2 must leave its own area to respond, which results in travel times exceeding 13 minutes, even when crews are seated in the truck, ready to go. These metrics underscore the operational necessity of expanding our station network to maintain acceptable response standards.

In exploring alternatives, City staff has evaluated grant‑funding options, temporary facilities, as well as co-locating facilities with Mandan Rural Fire Department and Morton County. None of these pathways provide the long‑term sustainability, capacity, or operational reliability needed to meet future demands. To avoid service gaps and escalating costs, a comprehensive funding strategy became necessary. Therefore, City staff and leaders determined that we need to ask Mandan voters if they would approve extending or reallocating the existing 0.75% sales and use tax to fund these items.

As of 2026, both Fire Station 1 and Station 2 will be fully staffed, placing the department in a strong position to grow into staffing for Fire Station 3. Mandan Fire Department was able to achieve full staffing levels thanks to a Federal SAFER grant, which has significantly strengthened its operational readiness and enhanced its ability to meet the needs of the community.
In addition to funding for Fire Station 3 and an Emergency Operations Center, the City would be requesting funding to remodel and modernize our current fire stations, so they remain safe, functional, and capable of supporting updated equipment and staffing needs. The Fire Department does not anticipate the improvements to be made to Fire Station 1 and Fire Station 2 until 2031 and 2036, respectively. City leaders will also be requesting funds to secure land for a future Fire Station 4. These items will ensure Mandan is positioned to respond effectively as development continues.

What would this measure fund? The funding from this ballot measure (if approved by voters) would be dedicated to:

1. Fire Department Facility Construction, Equipment, Improvement, and Maintenance, including:
1. Construction of Fire Station #3, including the initially needed equipment and vehicles to operate the station (2027-2029).
2. Fire Station #1, including necessary equipment, vehicles, improvement, and maintenance (2031).
3. Fire Station #2, including necessary equipment, vehicles, improvement, and maintenance (2036).
4. Land purchase for future Fire Station #4 (Purchase date to be determined).

As a point of reference, the current tax rate in Mandan is 8.25% (5% state + 2.25% city + 1% county). The sales and use tax in Bismarck is currently 8% (5% state + 2% city + 1% county).  

Residents with questions about the proposal are encouraged to contact the Mandan Fire Department at 701-667-3288 or attend upcoming public information meetings as details are finalized. Stay tuned to cityofmandan.com for more information.