Grand Forks County

10/14/2026

Voting season is here! For questions regarding polling locations, absentee ballots, working the polls, and other voting-related matters, please call the County Finance Department at: (701) 780-8200

OR: reference the North Dakota Secretary of State's Website here: https://www.sos.nd.gov/

10/13/2026

Grand Forks County had a blast at this year's Wake Up to UND event last Friday. Thank you to UND for having us and to all the community partners who joined us!

10/12/2026

Its our first Meet and Greet Monday, and we are pleased to introduce to you, Thomas Ford, the Grand Forks County Administrator!

Read a little more about him below:

Tom Ford has been with Grand Forks County for over 13 years and plays an important role in overseeing daily county operations, supporting county departments, and advising the County Commission on policy, budgets, and administrative matters. He also serves as the County’s Public Information Officer and works with community partners on initiatives that benefit the region.

Tom’s career began in banking as a real estate lender before the 2007 financial crisis led him to pursue a new path in local government. After working for the City of Grand Forks and becoming involved in Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals, he eventually found his way to the County.

One of Tom’s favorite parts of his job is collaborating with organizations like the Park District, School District, Grand Sky, Grand Forks Air Force Base, and other community partners. He enjoys bringing people together to help make Grand Forks a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Minnesota State University Moorhead, where he briefly competed in track and field, and a Master of Public Administration from UND.

Fun fact: Despite living in Grand Forks for 19 years, Tom didn't try Red Pepper until last year! Outside of work, he also enjoys riding his motorcycle, so you might just spot him around town.

Thank you, Tom, for your dedication to Grand Forks County and our community!

10/11/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day. At Grand Forks County, we recognize the importance of mental health and of connecting our community with support.

Looking for resources for yourself or someone you care about? Explore the links below or visit Grand Forks Public Health’s website for more information.

Community resources:
https://gfcares.com/community-resources

Coping with life’s challenges:
https://naccho.crediblemind.com/lists/coping-with-lifes-challenges

10/08/2026

Grand Forks County Commission Meeting Recap | October 6, 2026

Topics on Tuesday’s agenda included:

• Public safety contracts through the Sheriff’s Office, including the 2026–2027 NDDOT Highway Safety Contract.
• Preparations for the upcoming election, including the appointment of election inspectors.
• County operations, including the Employee Corrective Action Policy, County Administrator approval limit, and County Fraud Committee membership.
• 2027 budget service agreements and a digital evidence management system for the State’s Attorney’s Office.

Stay informed about your county by viewing the full meeting recording on our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/t-oXAEFXsZI?si=xpfKocYOUoRbYi3

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/06/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 1, 2026

Contact: Daniel Schwartz, Nexus Planning and Consulting, LLC
(701) 989-7970; [email protected]

Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey Still Open

GRAND FORKS, ND – The survey that is part of the planning process to update the Grand Forks County, ND, Multi-Jurisdictional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (MHMP) is still open for residents of Grant Forks County to complete.

Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce and/or eliminate the loss of life and property from natural hazards and man-made threats. Whether it is overland flooding, severe winter storms, or hazardous material incidents, having a robust plan in place allows the county and its incorporated cities to proactively address vulnerabilities.
A Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan isn’t just a strategy document; it is a requirement for the county to remain eligible for certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance and federal mitigation grants. By participating in this survey, residents provide "boots-on-the-ground" data that helps emergency planners understand which hazards are of greatest concern to those living and working in the region.

"Public participation is the backbone of effective planning," said Grand Forks Emergency Manager Kari Goelz. "We know our residents understand their neighborhoods best. Their feedback ensures our mitigation strategies are not just theoretical, but practical and tailored to the actual needs of Grand Forks County."

The survey is brief, confidential, and covers topics ranging from personal preparedness to the perceived threat of various natural hazards and man-made threats.

Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GrandForksCountyMHMP

Hardcopy: Available in the Lobby of the Grand Forks County Office Building

Who Should Take It: All residents, business owners, and stakeholders within Grand Forks County and its jurisdictions.
For more information on the MHMP update or to learn how you can get involved in the planning meetings, please contact the Grand Forks Office of Emergency Management at 701-780-8217.
***

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

09/14/2026

We are officially expanding our social media presence. Grand Forks County is now on Instagram.

Make sure to follow to stay connected with County news, updates, events, and more. We look forward to seeing you over there!

09/11/2026

The Grand Forks Region Metropolitan Planning Organization has released the 2027-2030 Draft Transportation Improvement Plan for public comment. Public comments will be accepted until noon on October 14th.

The TIP is a 4-year schedule of projects in the Forks MPO area which are programmed and encumbered using dedicated federal, state, and local funds. The TIP is annually updated, is fiscally constrained, and includes federal transit and surface transportation funds. The TIP is a "living" document, mea...

09/11/2026

Today we commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11, a solemn reminder that must remain etched in our collective memory.

09/07/2026

Grand Forks County and Courthouse is closed today in observation of Labor Day. County Offices and Courthouse will reopen tomorrow, September 8th at 8:00am.