The City of Bismarck has opened two November windows for residents who want a closer look at how city government works: applications for the next Bismarck Citizen Academy class and for 21 seats on 10 city advisory boards, committees and commissions. Both applications are submitted online and close at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30, according to a pair of city news releases posted Nov. 2.
The Citizen Academy, the city says, is an interactive course in which participants learn about city departments each week and get a behind-the-scenes look at facilities around Bismarck. The 2027 class will run 12 weeks, meeting Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. starting Jan. 7, 2027, and continuing through January, February and March, according to the release. Graduates are to be recognized at the regular Bismarck City Commission meeting on April 13, 2027.
Class size stays at 20, the same as the 2026 academy, the city says. Residents, business owners or students in Bismarck may apply if they are at least 18, can attend every session and are the only participant from their household, according to the release, which allows one participant per household. The city says applications will be scored after the window closes, with the top 20 applicants and two alternates notified in December. Those chosen will pick up an ID badge and a binder of handouts at the City/County Building, and the city plans to share content from each week on its social media accounts.
"The Citizen Academy gives residents a unique opportunity to see how local government works and connect with the people who make it happen," Assistant City Administrator Doug Wiles said in the release, adding that past participants have described it as a valuable behind-the-scenes look at daily city services.
The second release lists the board openings, with terms the city lists as ending in 2026. The release does not give a total; the openings add up to 21:
- Board of Adjustment, which decides appeals of administrative decisions and grants zoning variances: 2 seats
- Community Development Advisory Committee: 2 seats
- Dakota Media Access Board, which advises Dakota Media Access on local government coverage: 3 seats
- Event Center Authority Board, which provides oversight of the Bismarck Event Center's third-party operator: 1 seat
- Forestry Advisory Board, which advises the city forester on public trees: 3 seats
- Historic Preservation Commission: 2 seats
- Human Relations Committee: 2 seats
- Parking Authority, which oversees roughly 1,754 downtown spaces in four ramps and two surface lots: 1 seat
- Planning and Zoning Commission: 1 seat
- Renaissance Zone board, which reviews downtown Renaissance Zone projects and design: 4 seats
Applicants must live in Bismarck, the city says, except for the Planning and Zoning opening, which must be filled by someone living in the city's extraterritorial area. Parking Authority applicants must also own property within the Parking Authority boundary.
"Serving on one of the City of Bismarck's advisory boards, committees or commissions is the most direct way for citizens to participate in the decision-making process in our community," Wiles said in the board release.
The city says more information about each board is available from the Administration Department at 701-355-1300, and details on the academy are on the city's Citizen Academy page.
Sources: City of Bismarck, "City of Bismarck Accepting Applications for Annual Citizen Academy Throughout November" (Nov. 2, 2026); City of Bismarck, "City of Bismarck Seeking Volunteers for Advisory Boards" (Nov. 2, 2026); City of Bismarck, Bismarck Citizen Academy page.