The Citizens' Budget Watch · FY2026

Three budget lines are already over 100% — and have been since March.

We've read the March and April 2026 treasurer's reports and every line of the bills-for-approval ledgers. The overages aren't new. A security contractor bills the same amount every month. And the operating reserve just hit a four-year high with no stated plan.

Real data · Park Hill SD · March & April 2026
What we're watching

Five things from two months of data.

Comparing March and April revealed patterns neither month alone would show. The most significant: budget overages that were already locked in by March, and a recurring vendor that doesn't appear in any public contract notice.

Where the money went

YTD spending at 83% of the fiscal year.

Overall spending is tracking below pace — healthy. But three sub-categories are already over 100%. Full breakdown on the Dashboard.

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