Governance & funding

District & Board

The Mandan Rural Fire Protection District is the public body that funds fire protection here. Its meetings are open to everyone.

Next meeting

Regular board meeting
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
8:00 PM
Station 1, 3014 34th St NW, Mandan
Agendas & minutes

Open to the public. Agendas are posted before each meeting and minutes after.

The elected board

Board of directors

Residents elected to set the budget and the mill levy, and to oversee the district. Most directors represent a township, and seats are elected to two-year terms at the district's annual meeting.

28 townships · 16 of 56 seats filled · 40 open

President

Mike Gartner

Township 136-83 · Primary seat
Elected 2026

(701) 226-2729

Vice President

Duane Ell

Township 139-81 · Primary seat
Elected 2025

(701) 226-9306

Treasurer

Shelly Gartner

Township 136-81 · Primary seat
Elected 2026

(701) 426-3283
Show all 13 directors Hide directors

Director

Anton Kalvoda

Township 138-81 · Primary seat
Elected 2025

(701) 391-5369

Director

Curt Rebenitsch

Township 136-80 · Primary seat
Elected 2026

(701) 391-0438

Director

Dennis Gustin

Township 137-81 · Primary seat
Elected 2026

(701) 400-3483

Director

Doug Hille

Township 137-83 · Primary seat
Elected 2026

(701) 220-2083

Director

Jacob Thomsen

Township 140-82 · Primary seat
Elected 2026

(701) 471-9532

Director

Jared Fisher

Township 136-82 · Primary seat
Elected 2026

(701) 226-6934

Director

Jared Hopkins

Township 139-81 · Secondary seat
Elected 2026

(701) 391-2012

Director

John Steckler

Township 137-82 · Primary seat
Elected 2026

(701) 220-0260

Director

Kevin Nelson

Township 138-83 · Primary seat
Elected 2025

(701) 391-7326

Director

Kyle Kirchmeier

Township 138-81 · Secondary seat
Elected 2026

(701) 391-9204

Director

Pat Sweeney

Township 139-82 · Primary seat
Elected 2026

(701) 663-9191

Director

Tom Gartner

Township 136-81 · Secondary seat
Elected 2025

(701) 400-7372

Director

William Klesalek

Township 138-82 · Primary seat
Elected 2025

(701) 391-8848

Seats by township

View all 28 townships · 40 open
134-79OpenOpen
134-80OpenOpen
134-81OpenOpen
135-79OpenOpen
135-80OpenOpen
135-81OpenOpen
135-82OpenOpen
136-79OpenOpen
136-80Curt RebenitschOpen
136-81Shelly GartnerTom Gartner
136-82Jared FisherOpen
136-83Mike GartnerOpen
137-79OpenOpen
137-80OpenOpen
137-81Dennis GustinOpen
137-82John StecklerOpen
137-83Doug HilleOpen
138-80OpenOpen
138-81Anton KalvodaKyle Kirchmeier
138-82William KlesalekOpen
138-83Kevin NelsonOpen
139-80OpenOpen
139-81Duane EllJared Hopkins
139-82Pat SweeneyOpen
139-83OpenOpen
140-81OpenOpen
140-82Jacob ThomsenOpen
140-83OpenOpen

Contact info is on the member cards above. Find your township number on the map below.

General questions for the board? mrfdboard1@westriv.com

Representation

Find your township

The district spans several townships in Morton County. Find yours on the map, see who represents it on the board, and check whether a seat is open.

District boundary and townships. Pan, zoom, or use your location to find your township.Open full map ›
Want a say in how fire protection is funded here? Directors come from within the district, by township, and many seats are open. Every board meeting is open to the public, and coming to one is the easiest way to learn about taking a seat: just show up and ask. Or email the board ›

How we're funded

The mill levy, in plain terms

The district funds fire protection through a property-tax mill levy, currently 4.9 mills. That pays for trucks, gear, station upkeep, and training. The department does not bill residents for emergency response; the levy is how the service is paid for.

2026 mill levy vote. In June 2026, the district asked voters to raise the levy from 4.9 to 13 mills. Voters rejected it, 48 to 443. The board is reviewing next steps for the station's space needs. Details will be discussed at upcoming meetings.

Transparency

The public record

Agendas & minutes

  • Regular Board MeetingAgendaMinutes
  • Regular Board MeetingAgendaMinutes
  • Regular Board MeetingAgendaMinutes

Agendas and minutes are public record. For historical meetings not listed here, contact the board.

Past votes

June 10, 2026Mill levy increase for a new stationFailed

Voters rejected the measure, 48 to 443. The board is reviewing next steps.