2025 NDLC Annual Conference session titles link directly to the presentations.

*Session with with NE in the title were developed with newly elected officials in mind.

• Grants & Funding Resources for ND Cities: ND Department of Water Resources – Does your city want to apply for a cost-share grant through the ND Department of Water Resources? Duane will walk you through the rules and requirements to get you on your way to apply for funding.
• Small Government Review Process NE – The ND Office of the State Auditor has updated the small government review process. During this session, Pearl and Lindsey will review the changes and cover how cities with annual revenue less than $2 million can comply with the auditing and fiscal reporting requirements in the Century Code using the small government review process.
• What You Need to Know About Polyflouroalkyl Substances – The ND Department of Environmental Quality will cover polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) sampling that has been done across North Dakota, the impacts of PFAS on wastewater, and the new PFAS drinking water rules.
• Bridging the Food Gap with Strategies for Rural Access – Local leaders will discuss innovative strategies for rural food access. Panel members will share their insights into food lockers and online ordering, highlighting the benefits of convenient, flexible shopping experiences, such as key fob access and store memberships and collaborating on large purchases to improve purchasing power and pricing for consumers.
• Key Elements of a Modern Cybersecurity Strategy – The worst time to learn you need to reinforce your cyber defenses is when you’re already compromised. Bad actors and the technology they leverage continue to advance; if your organization is not modernizing your cybersecurity strategy, you risk falling behind and being vulnerable to new attacks. Join us as we examine what it means to protect, detect, respond, and recover using a modern cybersecurity strategy.
• Grants & Resources for ND Cities: ND Department of Transportation – The ND Department of Transportation is the lead state agency for surface transportation. Learn about their programs, services, and grants available to cities during this session.
• Capital Improvement Plans NE – Capital improvement plans are an important planning tool for infrastructure maintenance and replacement, through the lifecycle of infrastructure investments. The ND Department of Water Resources has developed a tool to aid in this process for water systems. Duane will walk participants through the use of this tool.
• Data Centers 101 – During this session, a data center developer with extensive experience in North Dakota, will offer a comprehensive introduction to data centers, exploring their fundamental components and the critical strategic factors that influence their site selection. Also included will be insights from a North Dakota mayor regarding the local impact, benefits, and challenges associated with hosting a data center facility within a community.
• The Family and Medical Leave Act and Cities – For cities as employers, understanding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is essential—not only to remain compliant with the law but also to support its workforce. Dani will explore the key components of FMLA and attendees will gain insight into proper implementation and documentation. Whether you’re in HR, a supervisory role, or an elected official, this session will equip you with the tools and knowledge to navigate FMLA with confidence.
• Grants & Funding Resources for ND Cities: Bank of North Dakota – Join us to learn about grants and funding resources offered by the Bank of North Dakota.
• Construction Projects from Start to Finish NE – Learn from the experts involved in the many aspects of major construction projects. Get the perspectives of a project owner, engineer, and contractor on how to effectively complete a project within the parameters of state law.
• Future of Rural Development in North Dakota – North Dakota cities have had a long-storied symbiotic relationship with agriculture. The future of agriculture is advancing with modern technology and consumer demands. This session will dive into what could potentially be on the horizon for agriculture development in the region and some insights into what you can do to be ready.
• SIRN Update – Statewide Interoperable Radio Network – In 2017, the ND Legislature passed SIRN 20/20 with the goal of creating a statewide interoperable radio system for the public safety community. State, local, and tribal governments have a lot to gain with an effective SIRN system. Representatives from ND Information Technology will provide an update on this important system.
• Artificial Intelligence – Get On Board or Get Out of the Way – Is AI taking over the planet? Does it give you thoughts of futuristic movies like The Terminator or the Matrix? Nigel, the demographer for the state of North Dakota, will set your mind at ease by covering the basics of AI, some of the latest trends, and potential uses of AI in the workplace.
• North Dakota Oil Development Outlook – From east to west, the entire state has come connection to oil development in western North Dakota. Oil revenues have built hundreds of miles of roads and streets, many more miles of drinking water and wastewater lines, and community enrichment projects in parks and museums. This session will provide an update from the Oil and Gas Division of the ND Department of Mineral Resources on the future of oil and gas development in North Dakota.
• From Blight to Business – Join representatives from the ND Department of Commerce to learn about slum and blight successes and marketing redeveloped sites with LOIS and Lasso.
• Performance Improvement Plans – A Tool for Employee Growth and Accountability – This presentation is designed to help city leaders understand the purpose, structure and benefits of Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) and Professional Development Plans (PDP). Sarah will cover best practices for communication, documentation and follow-up as well as how PIPs and PDPs can support employee development and accountability.
• From Stats to Stories – Watford City is using data to move beyond simply presenting facts and figures to creating a narrative that explains the “why” and “how” behind its growth, challenges and solutions. Learn how you can incorporate simple storytelling tactics that will make you stand out and cut through the noise.
• Emerald Ash Borer is in North Dakota – What Now? The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been found in North Dakota and cities must be prepared for it to come to their community. Join representatives from the ND Forest Service to discuss what signs to watch for in ash trees, how cities can prepare for its arrival and the best trees to plant in preparation for EAB.
• NDIRF Session – Blighted Properties: Understanding Liability, Risk and Insurance Coverage NE – Blighted and abandoned properties pose serious challenges for cities – from safety hazards and legal liability to increased costs and difficulty securing insurance. Keith will discuss the risks associated with blighted properties, share insights into how to manage these risks, and explain insurance coverage options.
• Spurring Housing Development in Rural North Dakota – Developing housing in rural areas presents unique challenges. The Red River Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) is in its second year building single-family houses in cities in the northeast region of the state. Their approach focuses on removing barriers and managing risks for the builders and public entities involved. During this session, Lisa will discuss the CHDO’s philosophy, how the CHDO got started using their current process, and how they leverage several funding sources to put together a successful project.
• Implementing ND SB 2180: Your Guide to a Successful Public Comment Section NE – SB 2180 makes including a public comment agenda item a requirement for city and park district regular government board meetings. Don’t just comply – excel! Stephanie will walk you through NDLC’s model Public Comment Policy, providing actionable steps to establish clear guidelines, manage time effectively, and prevent common missteps.
• Understanding Commercial Driver’s License Requirements – It is essential for city leaders to understand Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements, including licensing standards, medical certifications, training mandates and drug and alcohol testing regulations. Join this session to ensure your employees are safely and legally operating city vehicles.