City government · Burleigh County, ND
Bismarck's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended December 31, 2023), Bismarck took in $247 million and spent $224 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Bismarck's money comes from state tax money.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people gets 6.4%.
City taxes30%
What's in other taxesOther selective sales taxes; occupation and business licenses and 4 more
- Other selective sales taxes$5.3 million
- Occupation and business licenses$1.6 million
- Public utility taxes$925 thousand
- Alcoholic beverage licenses$729 thousand
- Amusement licenses$23 thousand
- Other licenses$10 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services31%
What's in fees for servicesWater; sewer and 6 more
- Water$18.7 million
- Sewer$15.9 million
- Other service charges$11.5 million
- Garbage collection$11.4 million
- Airport$8.7 million
- Parks and recreation$6.3 million
- Parking$1.8 million
- Road charges$1.6 million
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money8.4%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money15%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
County and local tax money1.6%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other14%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Bismarck's spending goes to roads, transit and parking.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people spends 10%.
Spending by category100%
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways; airports and 2 more
- Roads and highways$58.0 million
- Airports$22.9 million
- Public transit$3.8 million
- Parking$1.5 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesGarbage and solid waste; water supply and 1 more
- Garbage and solid waste$24.9 million
- Water supply$16.0 million
- Sewer systems$10.5 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 2 more
- Police$28.7 million
- Fire protection$11.5 million
- Courts and legal services$1.5 million
- Inspections and regulation$1.1 million
What's in running the government and other costsCentral staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology); government buildings and 2 more
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$7.5 million
- Government buildings$7.3 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$3.3 million
- Other and not broken out$2.2 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$8.1 million
- Libraries$3.3 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$5.0 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on water supply debt
- Interest on general debt$3.8 million
- Interest on water supply debt$741 thousand
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$1.8 million
What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to local governments: other and not broken out and sent to the state government
- Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$120 thousand
- Sent to the state government$7 thousand
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of Bismarck. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
What this covers. The money of City of Bismarck itself. Other governments that serve the same area (the city, county, school district and state) are separate and not included. Borrowing, transfers between a government's own funds, and pension trust funds are not counted as revenue.