Bismarck City Commissioners approved a final 2017 budget of $213.9 million Tuesday that allows for 13 new positions and a 3 percent wage increase for city workers. Eight new police officer positions and the purchase of four squad cars were included in the budget. ... Seminary addressed Graham's statements. "The rapidly declining sales tax funds are as a result of expansion on the part of schools and development. ... He also asked the 43rd Avenue project right-of-way work be dropped for $920,000 from sales tax spending, and that the city remove the authorization to seek new land for a new fire hall. Graham questioned the use of sales tax money to work on hard surface streets. When the school buys new property for new schools, one of the things we have to do is where do we plan the new fire station and how do we put that in place?" He and Askvig agreed poor response time regarding fires in growing areas of town was bad idea.