Pratt adopts resolution to levy property tax rate above revenue-neutral figure and approves 2026 budget after public hearing

The Pratt City Council on Sept. 2 heard more than an hour of public comment about taxes and infrastructure before adopting Resolution 090225 to levy a property tax rate exceeding the revenue‑neutral rate and then approving the city’s 2026 budget.

At a public hearing opened by Mayor Kyle Farmer, residents raised concern that rising property valuations and budget line‑item increases are pushing local tax bills higher. Susan Mayberry, who identified herself as a Pratt landlord, thanked building inspector Robert Walker for responding to longstanding property concerns. Richard Robbins, a Main Street resident, told the council he feared higher property taxes would drive residents away and shrink the tax base. Stephanie Becker, who said she was speaking for many seniors, questioned contractual service increases, commodity cost jumps and whether some nonessential services should be cut.

City manager (identified in the meeting) responded with budget context: statutory requirements for services such as animal control, rising costs for road repairs and the need to invest in aging water lines (some more than 100 years old). She said the city has kept its mill levy steady in recent years and that higher property valuations, not a mill‑levy increase, largely drive the larger tax bills residents see. The manager also defended recent pay adjustments for first responders as necessary to retain staff.

City attorney Cody Smith explained Resolution 090225 at the council table, noting the revenue‑neutral rate was calculated at 50.385 mills and that state statute requires a roll‑call vote when a governing body elects to levy a rate exceeding the revenue‑neutral figure. Commissioner Doug Meyer moved to adopt the resolution; after roll‑call the motion carried with every member recording a “yes.” The resolution was recorded as adopted in the meeting packet as Resolution 090225.

Following the resolution vote, the council considered the final proposed 2026 budget. Council members said they had aimed for revenue neutrality where possible but cited unavoidable pressures: inflation in commodity and equipment prices, aging infrastructure and recruitment/retention needs in public safety and utilities. Mayor Farmer moved to approve the 2026 City of Pratt budget, and the council approved it by voice vote.

The record during the hearing included a city estimate that the city’s portion of the revenue‑neutral increase would amount to roughly $78 more for a typical homeowner compared with last year; the manager stressed that figure does not include other taxing entities (county, college, etc.) that appear on property tax bills.

What’s next: Resolution 090225 and the 2026 budget are adopted; staff will proceed with budget implementation and the city manager offered to meet individually with residents to review the budget book and line items.

Quote highlights: “...we are playing catch up,” the city manager said about decades‑old infrastructure and the difficulty of balancing repairs with rising costs.

Provenance: Transcript of Pratt City Council regular meeting, topic intro SEG 058, topic finish SEG 1194.