Pratt County sets hearing on proposed mill levy of 65.825 for Sept. 8

The Pratt County Commission voted to publish a notice of intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate and scheduled a public hearing for 9 a.m. on Sept. 8 in the county courthouse. Commissioner (mover) read the notice listing the proposed mill levy as 65.825 and the hearing location as the Pratt County Courthouse Commission Room at 300 South Oak Ninska Street in Pratt, Kansas.

Commissioners spent much of the meeting reviewing a draft county budget and discussed how to cover an employee-benefits shortfall without raising the mill levy further. One commissioner summarized the staff recommendation: "we just pull that 50,000 out of capital improvement, and then we'll have to deal with it next year." Staff and board members examined line items and cash balances and discussed health-premium increases and reserve cushions.

The commission discussed statutory publication timing and agreed to multiple publication runs to ensure legal notice. Tyson (staff) explained the timing constraints and the need to publish at least once within the statutory window before the hearing. The motion to publish the notice and set the Sept. 8 hearing carried on a voice vote.

The hearing will allow members of the public and taxing entities to comment on the county's intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate; the commission directed staff to publish the notice on the county website and in the county paper as required.