Author Archive: Kari Bodine

ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE – Begins September 28, 2026

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ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE – Begins September 28, 2026

As part of the Valley City NW Water System Improvements project, crews will be installing underground water utilities at the intersection of 5th Ave NW and 9th St NW. To safely complete this work, the intersection of 5th Ave NW and 9th St NW will be closed to all vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. No through traffic of any kind will be allowed in the work zone during construction.

Closure Begins: September 28, 2026

Estimated Reopening: Friday, October 30, 2026

• Access to 5th Ave NW will remain available from the north via 12th Street NW, and from the south via Main St W. Access to 9th St NW will remain available from the east via Central Ave and 3rd Ave NW.

• 5th Ave NW between Secarse Dr and 8th St NW, and 9th St NW west of 4th Ave NW will remain open to local traffic only, including residents, businesses, deliveries, and emergency vehicles.

We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation as this important infrastructure work is completed. Please use caution when traveling near the construction area and allow extra time for your commute

Paving Improvements Week of Sept. 28, 2026

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Construction Notice – Paving Improvement Districts 133 – Mill & Overlay

The mill & overlay work planned as part of Paving Improvement District Number 133 is tentatively scheduled to begin on Monday, September 28th. Following is a tentative schedule for the work, weather pending:

  • Day 1:   Milling Operation – Granger Addition
    Pavement Removals, Excavation – 9th Ave SE – 6th St SE to 7th SE (Granger Add.)
  • Day 2:   Excavation, Fabric, Aggregate Base – 9th Ave SE (Granger Add.)
    Milling Operation – 4th Ave SW – Wintershow Rd to 4th St SW
    Paving Operation – Granger Addition
  • Day 3:   Milling Operation – Valley View Addition
    Paving Operation – Granger Addition
  • Day 4:   Paving Operation – Granger Addition & 4th Ave SW
  • Day 5:   Paving Operation – Valley View Addition
  • Day 6:   Paving Operation – Valley View Addition

No parking will be allowed on the street during either the milling or the paving operation. No parking signs will be placed by the contractor a minimum of 24 hours prior to beginning work in each neighborhood.

During the mill & overlay process, the roadway will remain open, but traffic will be delayed. The reconstruction of 9th Ave SE will require the closure of the roadway.

The seal coat work planned for Paving Improvement District 133 has been delayed for 2026 and will now be completed in 2027. Information regarding the start of that work will be provided next spring.

If you have any questions regarding the project, please contact Chad Petersen, KLJ at (701)845-4980.

Map showing road closure and detour.

ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE – Begins July 20, 2026

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ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE – Begins July 20, 2026

As part of the Valley City Public Schools New School project, crews will be installing underground water and sanitary sewer utilities beneath 12th Street NE.

To safely complete this work, 12th Street NE and the adjacent shared-use path will be closed to all vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic between 2nd Ave NE and 5th Ave NE. No through traffic of any kind will be allowed in the work zone during construction.

Closure Begins: Monday, July 20, 2026

Estimated Reopening: Wednesday, August 19, 2026

• Traffic will be detoured via 9th Street NE. Please follow all posted detour signs.

• Access to 2nd Ave NE will remain available from the west via 12th Street NE.

• 12th Street NE between Central Ave N and 2nd Ave NE will remain open to local traffic only, including residents, businesses, deliveries, and emergency vehicles.

We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation as this important infrastructure work is completed. Please use caution when traveling near the construction area and allow extra time for your commute.

The eastern view of the Valley City Public Works Service Center.

Public Works Service Center Complex Update June 2026

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  • We have reached a major project milestone with the completion of the heated slab in the shop.
  • Interior liner panel installation is approximately 80% complete.
  • Site work continues to progress well, with tree removal, the retention pond, and fine grading on the west side all complete. The remaining grading is dependent on relocating our job trailer, which is scheduled to occur soon.
  • Non-structural CMU installation is approximately 75% complete, with an estimated two weeks of work remaining.
  • Over the next month, we will complete all remaining exterior concrete, including the NDDOT approaches. To support this work, hauling signs will be reinstalled on Main Street beginning next Tuesday, June 30.
  • Interior finishes are also ramping up. Drywall is expected to be complete within the next week, followed by painting and ceiling grid installation.

Overall, the project continues to track well with our scheduled October 19 completion date.

The eastern view of the Valley City Public Works Service Center.
The shop area of Valley City's Service Center Complex.
South side of the Valley City Public Works Service Center.

5.24.26 Project Update – Sanitary Sewer Reline Project

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CC Steel will be working on Sunday, May 24, 2026 on Central Avenue between 2nd St N and 4th St N south of the Valley City Jr./Sr. High School. The work on Sunday is planned to minimize impacts to businesses downtown. Work will begin after 8 am and will be completed by the end of the day.

The school has been notified. Attendees to the VCPS High School Graduation are encouraged to use either 2nd Ave NW or 2nd Ave NE to access the school.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation!

City of Valley City logo

Important Notice Regarding Electric Rates

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To account for rising costs from power providers, the City of Valley City will adjust electric rates effective July 2, 2026. This change was approved by the Board of City Commissioners on May 4, 2026 (Resolution 2525).

As shown in Graph A below, approximately 50% of Valley City’s electric expenses come from purchased power, supplied by MRES and Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). In 2025/2026, WAPA will increase its rates by 14% due to their operations and maintenance costs. In addition, MRES Power Supply has increased its rates by 5% in 2025, 4.7% in 2026, and project a 4.4% annual increase for 2027-2030.

Despite significant rate increases from our providers, the City has committed to only increasing overall electric rates by 2%. Even with this adjustment, Valley City continues to maintain some of the lowest electric rates in the tri-state area as shown in Graph B.

GRAPH A

Graph B

VALLEY CITY’S CURRENT AND JULY 2026 RATES

Sanitary Sewer 72 – Reline Project

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Work on Sanitary Sewer Improvement District No. 72 began in 2025 and has now resumed in 2026. Proposed work includes relining of existing clay tile sanitary sewer mains and rehabilitation of existing brick sanitary manholes. A map showing the locations of the work is included. Streets will remain open during this work with minor delays.

 In addition, a point repair will be completed in the alley behind the old NuCara Pharmacy building. This work will require the alley to be closed starting Monday, April 27th for approximately a week for the excavation and repairs to be made. The alley will be surfaced temporarily with gravel until concrete can be placed later in May. Dumpsters will be temporarily relocated to the streets by Valley City Public Works. Additional information regarding future closures will be posted at a later date.  

If you have any questions regarding the project, please contact KLJ at (701)845-4980.

Assessor's Notice

2026 City Assessor’s Notice

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The City of Valley City Assessor’s Office will soon be mailing assessment notices to all property owners in Valley City.

Due to a recent change in state law, the Assessor’s Office is now required each year to send an assessment notice for every parcel in Valley City.  The notice will show both the current proposed assessment and the previous year’s assessed value.

The purpose of this notice is to provide full transparency for the property owner regarding the proposed property value. The assessment notice will replace the estimated tax statement normally sent out in August.

Residents with questions about their property value notice are encouraged to contact the City Assessor’s Office by calling 701-845-8122 or visit valleycity.northdakotaassessors.com.

Dave Carlsrud

03.16.2026 Mayor’s Message

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Hey There,

  • This Saturday, March 21st, at 6:00 PM, the Valley City Fire Department (VCFD) will host its annual fundraiser at the Valley City Eagles Club. Join us to support a great cause! 
  • March 20, 2026 at 9:46 Central Time in the Northern Hemisphere is the Spring Equinox.  It is the first day of spring and the time of the year when there is nearly equal time of sunlight on each side of the equator.
  • The Valley City Volunteer Firefighters held their annual Spouse and Significant Other Banquet and Awards Night. There was a great turnout and good food, made complete by a ‘fire call’—away they all went to serve! Thank you and congratulations to all the firefighters, especially those who achieved awards.     
  • Over the past six years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) Board. The entire MRES staff is made up of wonderful, caring people who are exceptionally good at their jobs, providing reliable and affordable power to our 61 members. Thank you to the employees and board members for your kindness and acceptance over the years. The hospitality you showed me at my final board meeting was truly beyond anything I would have imagined.
  • The Hi-Line Train Set in the Barnes County Museum continues to grow! Thanks to Bill Cochran, a water tower and a model of the Valley City Barnes County Public Library have been added. Bill also included a “gun pit,” where Company F would have been stationed to guard the Hi-Line Bridge from sabotage during WWII.  As a vital transcontinental transportation conduit, the bridge was critical to the war effort. Huge kudos to Jeff Bergner, who works diligently to keep the trains running. Thank you, Bill, Jeff, and Wes, for your great work!
  • While reading the news the other day, I found it interesting that so many candidates around the country are bypassing their party’s endorsements in favor of running directly in the primary.
  • Thank you to all who provided material and to Sue for proofing this column.
  • “Golf isn’t about being perfect. It’s about how well you handle the imperfections.”   ~ Rory McIIroy

Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,
Dave Carlsrud

Dave Carlsrud

02.23.2026 Mayor’s Message

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Greetings Everyone,

  • Likely, during my lifetime, there were stretches of mild February weather like we’ve had the last couple of weeks, but I don’t remember them per se. Perhaps the most interesting part to me was the duration. The amount of thick ice in the alleys that melted was amazing. Whatever thoughts we may have about the phenomenon, we can be grateful for “lots of good weather in the bank”.
  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are nearly in the books. Two commentators were discussing which Olympics is more difficult: summer or winter. One said, “The Winter Olympics, because the contestants often have something attached to their feet.” Interesting! The skeleton competition is especially crazy; they go head-first on a tiny sled, holding their chins just an inch off the ice while traveling 80 to 90 mph. Congratulations and thank you to all who competed!
  • If you think your garbage pickup has been missed, please wait until after 3:00 PM to call the Transfer Station at 701-845-0314. Collection times can vary due to uncontrollable events. For water, electric, or street issues after hours, please call Public Works at 701-845-0380, and an after-hours operator will connect you to the appropriate department for assistance.
  • The Christian season of Lent and the Muslim season of Ramadan began last Wednesday, February 18.
  • The American Public Power Association (APPA) 2026 Legislative Rally will take place February 23-25 in Washington DC. Missouri River Energy Services (MRES), along with APPA, monitors public power legislation at the state and federal levels to maintain favorable rates for us. Watch for an update next week regarding some specific issues for which we will be lobbying.
  • * Please continue watching for the Disaster Mitigation Survey and complete the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BarnesCountyMHMP.  For further information, please contact  Daniel Schwartz at dschwartz@nexusplanco.com  or Jessica Jenrich at jjenrich@barnescounty.us. Thank you.
  • Thank you to all who provided material and to Sue for proofing this column.
  • “If you don’t know what tomorrow holds, you need who holds tomorrow.”                 ~ Jesse Jackson

Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,
Dave Carlsrud