Feb. 2, 2026

More than 3,600 Mandan water utility customers can expect a visit from water pipe inspectors in 2026. That is the focus of an upcoming Town Hall meeting scheduled for Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Mandan City Hall in the Commission Room.

The inspections are part of the second phase of Mandan’s water service line inventory and a continuation of a State of North Dakota and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initiative to “get the lead out” of drinking water pipes. Every water system in the United States is required to complete a service line inventory of all public and private pipes, as required under the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). Water systems must also develop a plan to replace lead and galvanized pipes.

The first phase of the project identified 4,250 water service lines as lead, copper, plastic, or galvanized steel, but approximately 3,657 lines remain unknown. If you recently received a letter indicating that the material of your water service line is classified as "unknown", your property is one of many that inspectors will visit this year. If you prefer to identify your service line yourself, visit bit.ly/MandanPipes to complete a brief form and upload a photo of the pipe that delivers water from the water main into your home. Service lines are typically found on the lowest level of a property, in a utility room or basement. The correct pipe will come through the floor or through an exterior wall and will be connected to the water meter and water shut-off valve.

From February through August this year, staff members from AE2S, a local civil engineering firm, will conduct inspections of service lines. The inspectors will have photo identification badges, clothing, and vehicles marked with the AE2S logo. Each inspection should take less than 10 minutes to complete.

The City of Mandan is committed to partnering with its utility customers to ensure their water is lead-free. The public is welcome to attend the Town Hall to learn more about this effort.

Residents with unknown service lines may call 701-537-2370 to schedule an in-home inspection. Learn more at cityofmandan.com/lcrr. 

Candidates should be circulating petitions for several positions up for election in 2026. Petitions must be filed no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, Apr. 6 with all entities.

The primary election will be held on Jun. 9. Top candidates from the primary election for Morton County positions will advance to the Nov. 3 general election. 

Additional information about the requirements for running for office is available at cityofmandan.com/elections. 

The City Commission recently considered several appointments for terms beginning in 2026 to positions on boards that assist with city governance and community development. Members of the business community and residents submitted applications to volunteer to serve. 

2026 Appointments:

• Airport Authority – Stephen Koppy
• Architectural Review – Jordan Schneider & Victoria Vayda Hammond
• Community Beautification – Ben Kappel, Sarah Johnston & Micaela Ranisate
• Growth Fund – Titus Gietzen & Tyler Gerhardt
• Planning & Zoning – Bill Robinson & Will Gardner
• Renaissance Zone – Patrick Kellar, Jillian Lagasse & Landon Feil
• Special Assessment Commission – Sherwin Wanner

Thank you to members who served terms that ended in 2025:

• Airport Authority – Chris Brown
• Architectural Review – Kendra Rennich
• Community Beautification – Laurie Leingang & Rena Mehlhoff
• Growth Fund – Jake Fisketjon
• Renaissance Zone – Rob Knoll

Visitors Committee, Parking Authority and Code Enforcement Appeals Board appointments for 2026 will be considered soon.  

Thank you to all who submitted applications to serve! The next opportunity will be later this year with openings publicized in October.  

Apply for the Primary Residence Credit

The Primary Residence Credit provides homeowners the option to apply for a $1,600 state property tax credit through the Office of State Tax Commissioner. The application is open through March 31. Home owners must reapply every year. Learn more and apply at tax.nd.gov/prc.

Sign Up for Hyper-Reach Emergency Alerts

Morton County has launched Hyper-Reach, a new emergency notification system designed to keep residents informed about severe weather, road closures, and other local emergencies.

Residents are encouraged to register to receive timely alerts and choose how they are notified, including text message, phone call, or email.

Sign up for Hyper-Reach online at hyper-reach.com/ndmortonsignup.html or text "Alert" to 701-498-1770.

If you previously signed up for CodeRED, you will need to register again for Hyper-Reach.

For more information, visit mortonnd.gov/hyperreach.

Residents May Notice Slight Utility Bill Increase

Below are the utility bill increases for 2026 for a residential account:

• Wastewater base charge (per meter): $3.68 increase per month, per each single family dwelling.
• Wastewater usage charge (per meter): $0.41 per 100 cubic feet or 1 unit.
• Stormwater base charge (per meter): $0.18 increase per month, per meter or structure.
• Garbage collection & disposal base charge: $0.05 increase per month, per family living unit.

Questions? Please contact the Utility Billing department at 701-667-3219 or email water@cityofmandan.com. 

New Year Fireworks Show is Record-Breaking

Mandan welcomed 2026 with an unforgettable Guinness World Records®–setting New Year’s Eve fireworks display! During the New Year, New Light – Remember Our Vets celebration, 2.8 million fireworks were launched from Roman candles in one minute, breaking the world record and lighting up the sky over Mandan High School.

This sell-out event was organized by the Mandan Progress Organization in partnership with Pegasus Illuminations. All fireworks were generously donated, and 100% of parking ticket proceeds supported Western North Dakota Honor Flight, Wounded Warrior Project, and Mandan High School Band helping to fund their 2027 trip to London. 

Special effects, including dramatic Dragon’s Breath fireballs, were built by MUM Pyrotechnics, and the fireworks were executed with support from Spirit of 76 Fireworks Wholesaler, Cowboy Fireworks, AMS Displays, Great Lakes Mortar Racks LLC, Superior Fireworks, and CraigCo, LLC.

Community volunteers played a key role, with Mandan Marching Band students assisting with parking and welcoming guests. The Mandan Fire Department, Mandan Police Department, and City of Mandan ensured a safe and successful celebration for all.

A heartfelt thank you goes to all who attended, supported, and helped make this historic night possible. This event was more than a fireworks show—it was a celebration of community, generosity, and teamwork.

Looking ahead, Mandan will continue the tradition with the Independence Day Prairie Pyro-Musical on July 3 at 10:30 p.m. This will be a free, 25-minute fireworks display synchronized to music taking place just north of Mandan Middle School.

Here’s to new memories, new light, and another incredible year ahead for Mandan!

NDLC 'If I Were Mayor' Essay Contest Entries Due March 13

Each spring, the North Dakota League of Cities sponsors a statewide If I Were Mayor essay contest for third and seventh grade students. The contest encourages young people to think about public service and future community leadership. Essays must address why the student feels their community is great and what they would do to improve their city if they were mayor.

If I Were Mayor essay contest winners will be announced in conjunction with City Government Week in April, will receive a $150 prize and have their essays featured in the League’s publication, CITYScan. 

For specifics about the rules and process for submitting essays, visit ndlc.org/essay or contact Jennifer at 701-223-3518 or jennifer@ndlc.org. 

Mandan to recognize one winner from each grade. Separate from the NDLC’s contest, City staff will receive all Mandan entries and have judges select a winner from both third and seventh grade entries. Local contest winners will be invited to a Mandan City Commission meeting and their class will receive a visit with the mayor and donuts! 

Cappuccino on Collins Wins Winter Decorating Award

Residents recently nominated two Mandan businesses for the 2025-2026 Winter Decorating award. Voting was open for two weeks in January to name the best decorated business or commercial property. Owners were encouraged to decorate their building exteriors and interior spaces visible from the outside. Decorating was to be lit or unlit, festive, fun or elegant. Cappuccino on Collins won by three votes over Key Note Aromas. 

Cappuccino on Collins will be recognized at an upcoming City Commission meeting, receiving a traveling award to proudly display at their business throughout the remainder of the year.

Nominations for the Golden Shovel contest were accepted through Feb. 1. Voting will soon take place with announcement of the winner to follow. Stay tuned to cityofmandan.com/winterawards. 

In late May, the Mandan Progress Organization launched a Memorial Highway Gift Card Program, where individuals can purchase digital gift cards from local participating businesses directly at VisitMandan.com. Each card is delivered as a digital wallet file that appears on your phone just like a regular credit card. You can use the card to shop online or pay in person. As part of the program, the City of Mandan is contributing a 25% match that is automatically issued as a separate bonus card at no additional cost.

Never miss a local event, city update, or important alert again.

The new Mandan app brings our community closer—whether you’re

checking the calendar, reporting a concern, or supporting a local fundraiser.

Download it today and explore what’s happening around you! Search

“City of Mandan” in the App Store or Google Play.

Snow Removal Reminders

City crews clean emergency routes first, followed by school zones, downtown areas, and residential streets. Please help by not parking on streets, keeping bins off roadways, and clearing sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfalls. Avoid pushing snow into streets.

Learn more at cityofmandan.com/snowremoval.