Burleigh County Archive
Below is a rolling archive of updates (oldest to newest) related to the situation in Burleigh County related to budget, finance, and personnel:
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 Addresses Budget Snafu, But Questions Remain
Yesterday, the Burleigh County Commission held its regular meeting and briefly discussed the concerns raised at the January 18th meeting.
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
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
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?
Yesterday, the court case involving Burleigh County Auditor Mark Splonskowski was dismissed on the basis of standing, as the North Dakota Monitor reports:
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
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
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
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
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
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
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"?
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
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
It’s been a busy week in Burleigh County.
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
This afternoon, the planned discussion of County Commissioner Brian Bitner and County Auditor Mark Splonskowski ended up not happening.
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
This morning, the Burleigh County Commission met to discuss some of the issues that have been coming up lately.
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.)
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
(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
Watchdog Wednesday: Burleigh County Concerned Citizens
This afternoon the phones were lit up with callers, mostly regarding the developing situation in Burleigh County. Listen to that audio above.
Burleigh County: Previous Auditor Advocated For Reform
I’ve written extensively about the Burleigh County situation in recent months.
Highlights From Burleigh County Townhall Meeting
Media Alert: Tune into KFYR Radio (AM550) this afternoon at 3pm as Daryl Lies and myself will discuss this meeting, and the issue at greater length. Call in at 701-258-0550.
Burleigh County Begins Hard Process Of Repair
The ongoing discussion surrounding the Burleigh County Auditor position has resurfaced, with calls for increased public involvement and transparency in the decision-making process.
Bombshell: Human Resources Director Accuses Auditor of Encouraging Fraud
The Burleigh County Commission meeting last night resulted in what is called “burying the lede” when Burleigh County Human Resources Director Pam Binder explained what has been going on in the county offices with regards to what should have been a simple process: getting W-2 tax forms out to election workers.
Leaked Documents: HR Issues On Poll Workers May Pre-Date Splonskowski
After yesterday’s bombshell news that the Burleigh County Human Resources Director accused the County Auditor/Treasurer of encouraging fraud, I received some unsolicited documents regarding the situation.
Video Proof: Burleigh County Voters Were Misled In 2022
Mark Your Calendars Burleigh County Citizens:
KFYR Audio: Burleigh County Needs New Home Rule Charter Commission
As an immediate follow-up to the news earlier this afternoon
The Position vs The Person vs. The Process
The ongoing drama in Burleigh County continued this last weekend with two seperate public input sessions on Saturday: one in Wilton and one in Sterling.
Last Chance For Public Input (Burleigh County)
The meeting will be held tonight (Monday, April 7th, 2025) at 5pm in the Tom Baker Meeting Room, City/County Office Building, 221 N 5th St, Bismarck.
Burleigh County Takes Step Towards Restructuring Plan
In what should be viewed as a positive shift, the Burleigh County Commission took a step to re-split the office of Auditor/Treasurer, and place the role of Treasurer as an appointed position by the commission while maintaining the Auditor as an elected position.
Splonskowski Should Voluntarily Relinquish Treasurer Role
On Tuesday, I wrote about how the Burleigh County Commission seems to be settling on the option to split the Treasurer’s role off of the Auditor’s role: