By Allison Peck
Ogallala taxpayers are set to see the city’s mill levy decrease as the city moves forward with a roughly $14 million budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The city’s mill levy is dropping from 38 mills to 36.5 mills, while the overall budget remains nearly unchanged from the previous year.
Outgoing City Manager Kevin Wilkins said the final budget is within about $60,000 of last year’s total, despite inflation.
“Factor in inflation and be within 60,000 bucks. That's pretty outstanding,” Wilkins said.
Getting to that point required significant cuts during the budget process.
Wilkins said city officials initially cut approximately $500,000 from the budget. After determining another roughly $500,000 in reductions was needed to avoid a joint public tax hearing, city officials went back through revenues and expenditures and made additional cuts.
Supervisors also played a significant role in the process, Wilkins said.
The city ultimately was able to hold the budget relatively flat while lowering the mill levy.
The budget process also provided an early opportunity for new City Manager Tell Jensen to become involved in the city's finances. Jensen has been working alongside Wilkins during his transition into the position.
The city’s 2026-27 budget was discussed during Tuesday night's City Council meeting.