State & Local Government Policy, Business and Technology

North Dakota agencies offer buyouts to help balance budget

Bismarck Tribune: BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Ten North Dakota cabinet-level agencies on Tuesday asked employees to take voluntary buyouts to help balance the state budget that has been hit hard by slumping energy and commodities prices.

The letter sent to some 3,600 employees comes as legislators struggle to adopt a balanced budget for the next two-year budget cycle that begins July 1. The most recent estimates are that revenues will fall nearly $500 million short of the state's proposed $4.3 billion spending plan.

Republican Gov. Doug Burgum met with the appointed heads of 17 agencies to discuss the buyouts, and 10 of them opted to do so, spokesman Mike Nowatzki said. There is no target for the number of employees who may wish to leave, Nowatzki said.

Read article