First Choice for Families, Great Choice for Opportunity

Boards and Commissions


The City of Dickinson has several boards and committees that offer citizens an opportunity to volunteer their education, experience, skills, abilities, and interests to City government. Participation on boards and commissions also provides citizens with the ability to learn about their government and how it functions. The City welcomes all those interested in serving to complete and submit a Citizen Interest Form.  All appointed terms expire on December 31, so the majority of anticipated openings are listed at that time of the year.

All appointed committee and board terms are for a period of three years and expire at the end of the year. From time to time, there are also openings posted due the resignation of a member. If an opening is posted here and you are interested in appointment, please contact Assistant to City Administrator Rita Binstock at rita.binstock@dickinsongov.com

See Below for the Various Board/Committee Descriptions

The Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport Authority Commission is an independent five member commission appointed by the City Commission. This board oversees the operation and improvement of the airport. Because the operation of the airport is overseen by an Authority Board, it is totally separate from the City. This board has authority to issue bonds, set budgets, hire staff, and direct the City to levy up to four mills of property taxes.

For a list of current members, please visit the Officials Directory

This board meets once a month on the second Thursday at 4:00p.m. at the Airport’s Operations Conference Room.

Any questions regarding the functions of the Airport Board of Director should be directed to the Airport Manager at 701-483-1062.

Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport Website

The purpose of this Board is to hear requests from individual property owners for variances and conditional uses under the City’s Zoning Code. This board considers each request and determines whether it is acceptable under the City’s planning and zoning standards and whether it is a good planning decision. A typical request is to award a variance in the required lot setback. If granted, the property owner may building closer to the property line than is permitted under the zoning code.

For a list of current members, please visit the Officials Directory

This board meets once a month on the second Monday at 7:30AM at City Hall.

Any questions regarding the functions of the Board of Adjustment should be directed to the Building Official at 701-456-7803.

This board meets very infrequently. Due to the nature of the issues faced by this board, the City seeks persons with backgrounds in architecture, engineering, and related fields to serve on this board. For this reason, there are no terms for members of this board.

The purpose of the board is to hear complaints regarding City interpretations of the International Building Code (IBC), which is the code adopted and used by the City. In most cases, concerns and complaints are addressed before there is need to hold a hearing before this board.

For a list of current members, please visit the Officials Directory.

The city of Dickinson owns and maintains four cemeteries and is planning the addition of a fifth cemetery in two or three years. In addition, the City owns and operates a public mausoleum.

This committee meets infrequently as its primary focus is to address complaints about the cemeteries that are not sufficiently addressed by City staff.

The Civil Service Commission currently consists of five members, appointed by the Board of City Commissioners, upon recommendation of the City Administrator. Each member is appointed for a three year term.

It shall be the role of the Civil Service Commission from time to time to recommend to the Board of City Commissioners desirable amendments to the rules, regulations, and ordinances in Chapter 29. The role of the Civil Service Commission is to hear appeals to disciplinary matters and grievance appeals.

The purpose of the civil service system is to increase efficiency of the city government and to promote the fair treatment of municipal employees by providing a personnel system to govern the appointment, promotion, transfer, layoff, removal and discipline of employees in the city civil service system.

For a list of current members, please visit the Officials Directory.

The Dickinson Youth Commission (DYC) was established by the City Commission of the City of Dickinson on August 3, 2021 (Resolution 24-2021) and is comprised of teenagers  between the ages of 15 and 18, advocating on behalf of young people in Dickinson.

The DYC serves as an advisory body to the City Commission in matters related to the needs of youth in Dickinson and promotes youth involvement in the community.

The Youth Commission aims to provide opportunities for youth service & development, participation in various volunteer activities and to offer young people a means for their voices to be heard in the local government decision making process.

Youth interested in joining the DYC may apply by filling out an application.

This committee was established in 1997 for the purpose of reviewing applications made by companies seeking to drill oil wells anywhere within the Dickinson City limits or its two-mile zoning jurisdiction. Due to the fact that oil activity in the designated area has diminished in recent years, this committee has been inactive. Because this committee meets infrequently, the members have no established terms.

Committee members include both industry representative and representatives of the general public. For a list of current members, please visit the Officials Directory. Meetings of this committee are called as needed.

For more information about this committee please contact the City Engineer at (701) 456-7715.

This Finance Committee is a new Committee that is made up of Citizens, Commissioners and Finance Department. These Citizens would assist in the oversite of City’s financial management and resources.

This board meets very infrequently. Due to the nature of the issues faced by this board, the City seeks persons with backgrounds in the fire service, architecture, engineering, and related fields to serve on this board. For this reason, there are no terms for members of this board.

The purpose of the board is to hear complaints regarding City interpretations of the State Fire Code, which is the code adopted and used by the City. In most cases, concerns and complaints are addressed before there is need to hold a hearing before this board.

For a list of current members, please visit the Officials Directory.

The Dickinson Historic Preservation Commission has been operating since late Fall 2003. Since that time, they have been successful in getting annual Certified Local Government Grants from the ND State Historical Society, which have helped them move their message. Mr. Fuhrman works with this commission to insure its mission is fulfilled, which is primarily to encourage adding buildings in Dickinson to the National Historic Register.

For more information, please contact: Historic Preservationist – Museum Center Director Robert Fuhrman at (701) 456-6225 or Robert.Fuhrman@dickinsongov.com.

For a list of members, please visit the Officials Directory.

The Planning and Zoning Commission is responsible for overseeing the City’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the Zoning Ordinance. The jurisdiction of the Planning and Zoning Commission is all property in the Dickinson City limits and all property outside the City limits lying within two miles of said City limits.

P&Z has nine voting members and three ex-officio non-voting members. The City Engineer serves as the City’s zoning administrator. For a list of current members, please visit the Officials Directory.

The regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission is the third Wednesday of each month at 7:10 AM at Dickinson City Hall.

Any questions about planning and zoning issues should be addressed to Sylvia Miller at (701) 456-7020 or sylvia.miller@dickinsongov.com

The Library Board is comprised of five appointed members, who each serve for three year terms. Members of this board are limited by state law to two consecutive terms.

For a list of current members, please visit the Officials Directory.

The Library Board oversees the operation of the Dickinson Area Public Library and the libraries it manages.

Our purpose is to promote, enhance, and develop library services for individuals and groups in the Dickinson  area. We accomplish this by receiving, holding and dispersing grants, contributions and gifts of money.  We are looking for civic minded volunteers  to serve on our board, and, while not required, individuals with experience and interest in library services, nonprofit management, nonprofit fundraising, and nonprofit governance would be of great help.   We anticipate playing a major role in an upcoming library expansion project.

The board currently meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 4 pm in the Dickinson Area Public Library Conference Room.

For more information about this board, please contact Library Director Rita Ennen at (701) 456-7700 or Rita.Ennen@dickinsongov.com

This is a five member board. For a list of current members, please visit the Officials Directory

The Special Assessment Commission only meets when the City proposes to add a new special assessment district or annually to hear objections to the level of assessment assigned to a particular property.

The purpose of this Commission is to provide a fairness standard in the treatment of property owners affected by a special assessment district. Commissioners listen to the particulars of a proposed district and determine whether the proposed special assessments are allocated fairly to each affected property owner. If they determine there are discrepancies, they may adjust assessments.

For questions about the Special Assessment Commission, please contact Assistant to City Administrator Rita Binstock at (701) 456-7720 or Rita.Binstock@dickinsongov.com.

The Traffic Commission meet infrequently to consider proposed improvements, changes, additions, and/or removal of traffic control equipment and devices such as traffic signs, stop lights, pavement markings, etc…

This is a committee, which advocates tree planting and maintenance in Dickinson. They oversee the annual Arbor Day celebration, coordinate the local portion of the annual State Forestry Poster Contest for 5th Graders. They also provide the City Forester input regarding forestry programs and practices.

For a list of current members, please visit the Officials Directory. Members of this committee serve three year terms.

Regular meetings are the 2nd Thursday of the month at 4:00PM at Dickinson City Hall.

Official Documents

–   Budget Book
–   City Charter
–   City Dashboard
–   Comprehensive Plan
–   Document Portal
–   Federal Award
–   Fee Schedule
–   Financial Audit
–   Maps
–   Renaissance Zone Plan
–   TIF Policy & Application
–   Title VI Policy
–   West Dickinson Plan

Public Notices

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