Pratt County commissioners and staff on Wednesday reviewed an amended fiscal 2026 budget after a substantial assessed-value decline required raising the mill levy to hold revenue neutral.

County financial staff member Scott said the county’s revenue-neutral rate is 66.19 mills, up from last year’s 63.854 — a 2.336-mill increase driven by a $6,000,582 drop in assessed value. “The revenue neutral rate is 66.19,” Scott said while stepping through fund-by-fund spreadsheets, “and last year's was 63.854. And those two match up on that sheet you're asking.”

The discussion focused on whether to spend cash reserves or accept the higher mill levy. Scott explained the mechanics: with assessed value down but taxes levied to produce the same dollar total, the mill rate rises. “Even though you're at revenue neutral, you're having to increase it,” he said, noting that some taxpayers will see increases because state-assessed property losses drove the adjustment.

Scott walked commissioners through the budget workbook and a separate cash-reserve spreadsheet showing recommended reserves of three to six months of operating expenses. He flagged employee benefits and the road-and-bridge fund as the largest dollar declines in assessed value and said payroll vacancies had so far softened some of the impact on operations.

Commissioners and staff discussed next steps: monitor spending closely for the next six months, consider targeted reductions (for example deferring chip-seal work), or meet with bankers about short-term borrowing if needed. Scott offered to mark up the budget and review it again at a scheduled Wednesday workshop.

The review did not include a formal vote on tax rates or any binding appropriation changes. Commissioners scheduled further budget work sessions and follow-up with department heads to track 2025 budget-to-actuals and firm up decisions for 2026.

The county’s budget documents and the revenue-neutral calculation were presented in the meeting packet; staff said the publication page showing the neutral rate is page 19 of the packet.