Sedgwick County adopts 2026 budget, approves levy above revenue-neutral rate and trims planned cultural subsidy

Sedgwick County commissioners voted 5-0 on Aug. 20 to adopt the county’s 2026 operating budget and to pass a resolution authorizing a property tax levy higher than this year’s revenue-neutral rate.

The board adopted a $591,264,680 county operating budget and a cash-funded capital improvement program after a half-hour of public comment and several hours of internal deliberations that produced targeted cuts and reassignments. County Manager Tom Stolz said the recommended budget would be supported by an estimated property tax levy of about $208,049,217, or roughly 27.553 mills, subject to technical adjustments.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the adjustments strike a balance between reducing property-tax reliance and maintaining public safety and core services. Several speakers during public comment urged the commission to pursue broader fixes at the state level — especially reforms to property appraisal and the fee structure for vehicle-registration offices — to reduce future pressure on local property taxes.

What the commission did - Adopted the 2026 county operating budget, including a $27.31 million cash-funded CIP. The final package reflects amendments adopted on the floor that trimmed the recommended budget and reallocated some funds. (Vote: 5-0.) - Adopted a resolution to levy property taxes in excess of the revenue-neutral rate as required by state law, after the required hearing. County Manager Stolz reported the county’s revenue-neutral mill rate at 26.427 mills and the recommended levy would be approximately 27.881 mills before the board’s later adjustments. (Vote: 5-0.)

Major amendments and staff direction approved on the floor - Reduced the planned county subsidy to the auto-license (tag) fund from an estimated shortfall of about $900,000 toward a $500,000 subsidy in 2026 while directing continued work with state leaders on fee reform. The board framed that action as a diplomatic step intended to press the state to address an ongoing mismatch between fees and costs at vehicle registration offices. (Motion adopted; vote recorded 4–1 on a related bond/CIP item; the principal budget motions passed 5–0.) - Adopted an amendment to the funding agreement with Exploration Place Inc. that settles the remaining two years of a previous operational subsidy in a one-time transfer of $3.5 million (from greater-than-expected investment income), removing $1,700,741 in annual contractual payments from the 2026 county operating budget. Commissioners described the agreement as a one-time settlement that will reduce property-tax support for Exploration Place in 2026 and 2027 and give the museum two years to identify alternative revenue models. (Item approved; vote 5-0.) - Eliminated one proposed accreditation manager position in Emergency Communications (a 0.393‑mill equivalent reduction) and removed three vacant/unfunded clerk/registrar positions from county staffing tables as housekeeping and cost reductions. - Reduced a small operating grant to the Wichita-area Arts Council to align the county cash contribution with the City of Wichita’s cash level; commissioners also directed staff to continue conversations about moving long-term cultural funding off property taxes and onto other revenue sources. The board also reduced the county contribution to the Sedgwick County Fair and reallocated the difference to contingency. (Motions adopted on the floor.)

Public comment and concerns Public commenters pressed two related themes: the burden of rising property taxes and perceived inequities in property valuation. Several residents described sharp increases to assessed values and frustration with the appraisal and appeals process. At the hearing on the revenue-neutral rate, Bill Nichols asked, “Is the budget proposed prior to the property tax rate or do you adjust the budget to meet the property tax?” County Manager Stolz answered by describing the statutory timetable: the county completes its budgeted dollar requirement and the county clerk calculates mills based on certified assessed values.

Faith Martin, a vice-chair of Wichita’s Racial Profiling Board, and other speakers urged the commission to preserve services and to consider housing and other policy approaches as longer-term solutions to property-tax pressure. Bruce Olsen and other residents reported rises near 30% in property tax bills and urged state-level reforms. Arts leaders Connie Bonfai (Arts Council executive director) and Matthew Broderick (Arts Council board president) urged continued county support for arts organizations and highlighted economic impact figures in public comment.

Context and next steps Commissioners emphasized that the board sought to limit the portion of assessed-value growth captured in the 2026 levy. The county initially could have captured roughly 8.6% of assessed-value growth; staff and commissioners worked to hold the capture near 4.3% in the final package. Commissioners also instructed staff to continue pursuing state-level changes on appraisal processes and vehicle-registration fee structure. The board directed follow-up work on mutual-aid agreements with municipalities for fire and EMS coverage and asked staff to report back on potential policy options to better align costs and responsibilities among jurisdictions.

Votes at a glance - Adopt 2026 Sedgwick County operating budget and cash CIP (total operating budget ~$591.3M): approved (5-0). - County resolution approving levy in excess of revenue-neutral rate (required public hearing): approved (5-0). - Amendment to funding agreement with Exploration Place Inc. (one-time $3.5M settlement; reduces 2026 scheduled payments by $1,700,741): approved (5-0). - Reduction in planned auto-license subsidy to $500,000 and elimination of one accreditation manager FTE: motions adopted as part of the budget package. - Appointment: Resolution nominating Teresa Ortega to the Wichita Airport Advisory Board: approved (5-0). - Conditional use CON-2025-000081 (accessory apartment at 8201 S. Millsap Dr., Derby area of influence; waiver of a supplementary appearance standard): approved (per plan commissions and county vote, unanimous). - Board of Bids and Contracts recommendations (five procurement items): approved. - Fire District No. 1: adopted 2026 fire budget and resolution approving levy above the revenue-neutral rate: approved (5-0).

What the record shows County Manager Tom Stolz and department directors presented a budget built from departmental operating requests, staffing analyses and the county’s five‑year capital plan. Commissioners repeatedly cited public safety budgets (sheriff, EMS, 9‑1‑1) and rising costs for commodities and utilities as drivers of the increase in dollars requested.

Ending note Commissioners and staff said they will continue work in the coming months on longer-term options — including a sales-tax approach for stable cultural funding and legislative fixes for appraisal and motor-vehicle fee structures — that could limit property-tax pressure in future years.