North Dakota's Watchdog Update

January 19, 2023

Press Release: Watchdog Requests AG Review Of Possible Open Meeting Violation

This afternoon I submitted following request for the North Dakota Attorney General to review recent activities of the Burleigh County Commission.

Burleigh County To Form Home Rule Charter Commission to Address Budget Shortfalls

May 10, 2023

Burleigh County To Form Home Rule Charter Commission to Address Budget Shortfalls

Since the November election, newly elected Burleigh County Commissioners have been saddled with figuring out what happened last year during the budget approval process. This budget situation was first exposed back in January when the commission held a questionable meeting to disclose the fact the

Burleigh County To Consider Local Property Tax Reform Plan

October 27, 2023

Burleigh County To Consider Local Property Tax Reform Plan

Over the last year, I’ve updated you on the fiscal situation in Burleigh County and the problems surrounding county’s budget.

KFYR: Discussing Burleigh County's Budget Situation

January 27, 2023

KFYR: Discussing Burleigh County's Budget Situation

On this week’s Watchdog Wednesday (January 25th, 2023) we discussed the request I made last week to Attorney General Wrigley regarding the possible open-meeting violation by the Burleigh County Commission.

Updated: Should All Elected Officials Uphold The Constitution?

February 3, 2024

Updated: Should All Elected Officials Uphold The Constitution?

Yesterday, the court case involving Burleigh County Auditor Mark Splonskowski was dismissed on the basis of standing, as the North Dakota Monitor reports:

Burleigh County's Local Property Tax Reform Plan

May 1, 2024

Burleigh County's Local Property Tax Reform Plan

Attention Burleigh County Taxpayers And Voters:

Reminder: Taxpayer Townhall Meeting on June 4th

May 28, 2024

Reminder: Taxpayer Townhall Meeting on June 4th

***The North Dakota Watchdog Network is hosting a Taxpayer Townhall Meeting on Tuesday, June 4th, 2024 @ 6:30pm at the Bismarck Public Library in the basement for residents of Bismarck, Burleigh County, and the outlying towns in Burleigh County.***

Breaking News: Burleigh County Passes Property Tax Reform

June 12, 2024

Breaking News: Burleigh County Passes Property Tax Reform

Quick update on one issue the North Dakota Watchdog Network has tackled directly: Burleigh County voters approve a 1% sales tax to offset costs currently covered by property taxes for the Burleigh County Jail, Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and Burleigh County States Attorney Office.

Burleigh County Leverages Reform Of Property Tax Exemption Program

August 20, 2024

Burleigh County Leverages Reform Of Property Tax Exemption Program

Yesterday, the Burleigh County Commission approved a full 5-year renewal of the Bismarck Renaissance Zone program after the Renaissance Zone Authority (which I serve on) and the Bismarck City Commission approved changes that Burleigh County demanded last year in granting a 1-year temporary renewal.

Burleigh County Special Meeting Illustrates Why Measure 4 Exists

September 12, 2024

Burleigh County Special Meeting Illustrates Why Measure 4 Exists

Property Taxes are overly complicated, and that complicatedness is one reason they are so hard to reform (that, and the legislature’s unwillingness to try anything).

Burleigh County Needs Help To Maintain Election Integrity

October 24, 2024

Burleigh County Needs Help To Maintain Election Integrity

In recent days, the public has become aware of what has been happening behind closed doors for several months.

Burleigh County Commission Must Address Auditor Situation

December 16, 2024

Burleigh County Commission Must Address Auditor Situation

For several months, there has been both behind the scenes and in-public drama between the Burleigh County Auditor, the Burleigh County Commission, and county staff.

Burleigh County Auditor Makes His Case To The Public

December 17, 2024

Burleigh County Auditor Makes His Case To The Public

Last night, the Burleigh County Auditor/Treasurer, Mark Splonskowski, finally had his chance to present his case to the full Burleigh County Commission. You can watch the whole 3 & 1/2 hour long meeting video here. There were several disruptions during the meeting, which will be addressed after covering the substance of the meeting, which I’ve cut down to shorter clips to make it easier for the public and media to navigate this long and winding video.

Did Leigh Jacobs Solve The Case Of "The Missing Money"?

December 17, 2024

Did Leigh Jacobs Solve The Case Of "The Missing Money"?

For those who have paid attention to my work with the North Dakota Watchdog Network, often times there are situations where an investigations starts and then just hits a dead end because there is no where further to go with it.

Secretary of State Provides Documents On Voting Machine Computer

December 17, 2024

Secretary of State Provides Documents On Voting Machine Computer

The North Dakota Secretary of State has already responded to my previous request for information regarding the compromised voting machine “standalone computer”.

Burleigh Deputy Auditor Resigns; State Auditor Josh Gallion Chimes In

December 19, 2024

Burleigh Deputy Auditor Resigns; State Auditor Josh Gallion Chimes In

It’s been a busy week in Burleigh County.

Media Alert: Burleigh Auditor and Commissioner To Speak, On Air

December 19, 2024

Media Alert: Burleigh Auditor and Commissioner To Speak, On Air

I received notice that Trent Loos will be filling in for Daryl Lies this afternoon on the KFYR Kafe on AM550 KFYR radio out of Bismarck - and that Burleigh County Commissioner Brian Bitner as well as Burleigh County Auditor Mark Splonskowski from 3-5pm, today, December

Audio: Citizens Speak Up On Burleigh County Turmoil

December 20, 2024

Audio: Citizens Speak Up On Burleigh County Turmoil

This afternoon, the planned discussion of County Commissioner Brian Bitner and County Auditor Mark Splonskowski ended up not happening.

Burleigh County Special Meeting Scheduled

December 20, 2024

Burleigh County Special Meeting Scheduled

I just received notice that on Monday, December 23rd at 11am, Burleigh County will hold a special meeting to discuss the issues it has been dealing with lately.

Breaking News: Burleigh County To Pursue Outside Audits

December 23, 2024

Breaking News: Burleigh County To Pursue Outside Audits

This morning, the Burleigh County Commission met to discuss some of the issues that have been coming up lately.

Legislative Bill Tracking

HB 1384: The Mark Splonskowski Protection Act

Jan 23

HB 1384: The Mark Splonskowski Protection Act

(Note: This is a bill analysis that I was procrastinating about writing since it was introduced the first week of the session. But due to the public statements published in the Bismarck Tribune this afternoon, it can no longer be avoided.)

Legislative Bill Tracking

The Bismarck Tribune Is Right, We Need To Take A Vote

Jan 31

The Bismarck Tribune Is Right, We Need To Take A Vote

(Note: Be sure to read to the end, as not reading the last sentence will give the wrong impression. If the whole article does not show up in your email, click to open up the web version. For background on this topic, reference previous writings posted in the newly created “Burleigh County Archive”.

Burleigh County Starts Transition Process

Feb 4

Burleigh County Starts Transition Process

(Note: The North Dakota Watchdog Network is tentatively intending to host an early Townhall Meeting on February 20th, 2025 at 6pm at the Bismarck Library. To be updated on this event, official Burleigh County public input sessions, as well as anything else related to this specific situation