City of Williston, North Dakota
The City of Williston, North Dakota is a municipal government delivering water, sewer, sanitation, public safety, public works, licensing, municipal court, planning/zoning, and economic development services to residents and businesses within Williams County.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1889
- HeadquartersWilliston, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What City of Williston, North Dakota does
The City of Williston, North Dakota is a municipal government established in 1889 upon North Dakota statehood, serving residents and businesses of Williams County under a five-member City Commission form of governance with four-year terms. The city delivers a comprehensive portfolio of municipal services including water distribution, wastewater treatment, solid waste collection and landfill operations, public safety (police, fire, EMS), municipal court, building safety and code enforcement, planning and zoning, cemetery services, recycling, and economic development. It also owns and operates the Williston Basin International Airport (XWA). Principal customer segments are city residents (water, sewer, sanitation, public safety) and local businesses (licensing, permits, utility services, development incentives), with a smaller visitor segment served through tourism promotion and airport services.
The city's core infrastructure is centered on water utility operations. Water is procured wholesale from the Western Area Water Supply Authority (WAWSA) and distributed through a Sensus Flexnet Model 510M smart meter network with remote reading capability via two base stations around the city. Billing is managed on the Black Mountain cloud platform integrated with Sensus Analytics for automated meter data ingestion and monthly bill generation, with multiple payment channels including online portal, ACH auto-pay, e-bill, phone pay, and cryptocurrency via BitPay. Additional technology platforms include ArcGIS-based GIS mapping for zoning and development visualization and the TextMyGov SMS citizen engagement service launched in December 2025. Long-term capacity constraints exist at the city landfill — the inert area is projected to approach capacity in 2028 and active cells 1-4 by 2032 — representing material future capital expenditure requirements.
The city's revenue model combines utility usage fees (water and sewer billed per 100 cubic feet, or 748 gallons), subscription charges (sanitation, mosquito control, stormwater), one-time and annual license and permit fees (business licenses, building permits, alcohol/tobacco, special events, mobile food, and approximately 20 other categories), property taxes, and municipal court fines. Utility rates carry an automatic 5% annual inflation adjustment and are validated through rate studies conducted by AE2S and Burns & McDonnell engineering firms. The city maintains an A+ Stable credit rating from S&P Global (upgraded February 2025), published a five-year Strategic Plan in July 2025, and retired $2.9 million in ARFF Facility debt in January 2026. It has earned the 2025 Tree City USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation and the 2025 Community Development Award from the North Dakota Chapter of the American Planning Association for the Williston Water World project.
City of Williston, North Dakota firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- City of Williston, North Dakota
- Legal name
- City of Williston, North Dakota
- Website
- https://cityofwilliston.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1889
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The City of Williston, North Dakota is a municipal government delivering water, sewer, sanitation, public safety, public works, licensing, municipal court, planning/zoning, and economic development services to residents and businesses within Williams County.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
City of Williston, North Dakota industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Municipal Government Services
- NAICS
- Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132), Utilities (22), Waste Collection (56211)
- SIC
- Water Supply (4941), Sanitary Services (4950), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Customer Billing & Revenue Management (rate configuration, billing, adjustments, revenue assurance) (EUANAIAC), Public Works & Municipal Infrastructure (Streets, Stormwater, Facilities) (BPAIACAF), Public Works / In-House Municipal Collection Operations (EUAIAAAF), Public Works Departments (Streets, Bridges, Stormwater, Fleet, Maintenance) (BPAIALAD)
Keywords
Where City of Williston, North Dakota is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Williston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices9 records
Markets served
City of Williston, North Dakota business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Utility Services Revenue: Water distribution, sewer collection, sanitation, and stormwater management fees charged to residential and commercial customers within city limits
- Property Taxes: Property tax revenue supporting general city operations, public safety, and infrastructure
- Licenses and Permits: Business licenses, alcoholic beverage licenses, building permits, event permits, gaming permits, and various business operation permits
- Municipal Court Fines: Fines and fees collected from municipal court proceedings including traffic violations, code violations, and criminal/civil infractions
- Water Purchase (WAWSA): Wholesale water purchase from Western Area Water Supply Authority for distribution to city residents
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Monthly | Residential Water Rates 2026 |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Residential Sewer Rates 2026 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Sanitation Rates 2026 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Other Utility Charges |
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | Business License Fees |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Special Event Permits |
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
City of Williston, North Dakota product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The City of Williston, North Dakota is a municipal government providing comprehensive civic services to residents and businesses within city limits. Core offerings include water supply and distribution (sourced wholesale from Western Area Water Supply Authority), wastewater collection and treatment, solid waste sanitation, recycling, stormwater management, public safety (police, fire, EMS), building safety and inspection, planning and zoning, business licensing and permitting, municipal court operations, and cemetery services. Utility billing is managed through an integrated platform combining Sensus smart meters, Core & Main base stations, and Black Mountain cloud billing software.
Product overview
The City of Williston, North Dakota operates a municipal government website providing residents and businesses with access to city services, utility management, public records, and civic engagement tools. The city's digital offerings are organized around core municipal services including water and utility billing (managed via Sensus Analytics integrated with Black Mountain software), code enforcement and building safety, public records access, GIS mapping, and TextMyGov citizen communication services. The website serves as a portal for city commission governance, business licensing, and various administrative functions, with no commercial product offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Water Supply and Distribution Services
- Wastewater Collection and Treatment Services
- Sanitation and Recycling Services
- Police Department Services
- Fire Department and EMS Services
- Building Safety and Permits
- Business Licensing and Permits
- Municipal Court Services
- Planning and Zoning Services
- Airport Services (Williston Basin International Airport - XWA)
- Cemetery Services (Riverview Cemetery)
- Stormwater Management Services
Companies that use City of Williston, North Dakota
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
City of Williston, North Dakota technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
City of Williston, North Dakota partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Western Area Water Supply Authority (WAWSA)coreWholesale water supply partnership where WAWSA produces water that the City of Williston purchases and distributes to citizens. Summer water rates are based on WAWSA rates. The city is a member of this regional water supply authority serving northwest North Dakota.
- AE2ScoreEngineering and consulting firm engaged for utility rate studies and financial analysis of water, sewer, and solid waste systems to ensure long-term stability and service excellence.
- Burns & McDonnellcoreEngineering firm engaged for utility rate studies and infrastructure planning alongside AE2S for water, sewer, and landfill rate determinations.
- Core & MaincoreInfrastructure partner providing meter reading equipment and technology for the city's remote utility meter reading system. Two base stations installed around Williston for automated monthly reads.
- Senus (Sensus)coreTechnology provider for smart water meters (Flexnet Model 510M) and Sensus Analytics platform integrated with Black Mountain billing system for automated meter reading and utility billing.
- Black MountaincoreCloud-based utility billing software platform integrated with Sensus Analytics for automated meter data upload and monthly bill generation.
- Williams CountycoreCounty government partnership for shared services including Dispatch Center, Emergency Management, and regional planning. The city coordinates with Williams County on various municipal services and legislative representation.
- Williston Basin International Airport (XWA)coreCity-owned regional airport providing commercial air service to the Williston area, operated under the Williston Basin International Airport brand.
- Williston Economic DevelopmentcoreEconomic development organization collaborating with the city on business development, incentives, and the Williston Square development project.
- Williston Parks and Recreation DistrictminorSeparate district managing parks and recreational facilities within the Williston area.
- Williston Area Chamber of CommerceminorBusiness advocacy organization promoting local commerce and economic development.
- Williston CVB (Convention & Visitors Bureau)minorTourism promotion organization for the Williston area, linked on city website for visitor information.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
City of Williston, North Dakota competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- City of Dickinson, North Dakota: Western North Dakota municipal government with similar Bakken-region economic exposure, providing water/sewer/sanitation services and full municipal operations. Directly comparable in scale and economic base.
- Western Area Water Supply Authority (WAWSA): Regional water supply authority of which Williston is a member; produces and supplies wholesale water to member cities. Comparable in water utility operations and customer base across northwest North Dakota.
- City of Minot, North Dakota: Another mid-sized North Dakota municipal government providing comparable water, sewer, sanitation, public works, and public safety services. Similar governance structure and service portfolio in the same state regulatory environment.
- City of Watford City, North Dakota: Core-area Bakken municipality with significant oil-and-gas economic dependency and similar small-city municipal service delivery model. Closely comparable in economic drivers and population dynamics.
- Williams County, North Dakota: County government that shares services with Williston (Dispatch, Emergency Management). Comparable public-sector operating model in the same geographic region and economic base.
Broad incumbents
- City of Grand Forks, North Dakota: Mid-sized North Dakota municipal government with full-service water, sewer, sanitation, and public works operations. Comparable scope of municipal services with a more diversified economic base.
- City of Bismarck, North Dakota: Larger North Dakota state-capital municipal government providing an expanded portfolio of municipal services. Comparable in service scope but operates at a larger scale with greater administrative capacity.
- City of Fargo, North Dakota: Largest North Dakota municipal government with comprehensive water, sewer, and sanitation services. Comparable service portfolio but significantly larger scale and more diversified economic base.
Regional players
- City of Miles City, Montana: Regional Montana municipal government providing comparable water, sewer, and sanitation services. Similar scale and rural-municipal operating environment in the northern Great Plains.
- City of Sidney, Montana: Nearby eastern Montana municipal government with similar small-city utility and public works services. Comparable in scale and rural-mountain-west municipal operating model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
City of Williston, North Dakota social profiles
Digital presenceCity of Williston, North Dakota financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
City of Williston, North Dakota leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
City of Williston, North Dakota funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
City of Williston, North Dakota M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about City of Williston, North Dakota
What does City of Williston, North Dakota do?
The City of Williston, North Dakota is a municipal government providing comprehensive civic services to residents and businesses within city limits. Core offerings include water supply and distribution (sourced wholesale from Western Area Water Supply Authority), wastewater collection and treatment, solid waste sanitation, recycling, stormwater management, public safety (police, fire, EMS), building safety and inspection, planning and zoning, business licensing and permitting, municipal court operations, and cemetery services. Utility billing is managed through an integrated platform combining Sensus smart meters, Core & Main base stations, and Black Mountain cloud billing software.
Is City of Williston, North Dakota a public or private company?
City of Williston, North Dakota is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was City of Williston, North Dakota founded?
City of Williston, North Dakota was founded in 1889. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is City of Williston, North Dakota based?
City of Williston, North Dakota is headquartered in Williston, United States, in the North America region.
How does City of Williston, North Dakota make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Utility Services Revenue is the primary driver. The others are property Taxes, licenses and Permits, municipal Court Fines and water Purchase (WAWSA).
Who are City of Williston, North Dakota's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are City of Dickinson, North Dakota, Western Area Water Supply Authority (WAWSA), City of Minot, North Dakota, City of Watford City, North Dakota and Williams County, North Dakota. Broad incumbents are City of Grand Forks, North Dakota, City of Bismarck, North Dakota and City of Fargo, North Dakota. Regional players are City of Miles City, Montana and City of Sidney, Montana.
Does City of Williston, North Dakota have an API?
No public API is recorded for City of Williston, North Dakota.
What industry is City of Williston, North Dakota in?
City of Williston, North Dakota's product category is Municipal Government Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAG, Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration, with a secondary code of EUANAIAC, Customer Billing & Revenue Management (rate configuration, billing, adjustments, revenue assurance). Its NAICS code is 2213 and its SIC code is 4941.