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Reno County approves $26,740 survey by Wichita State to gauge voter support for countywide sales tax
Summary
The commission authorized a five‑month survey conducted by Wichita State University, at a county cost of $26,740, to measure registered voters' willingness to approve a potential countywide sales tax and priorities for use of proceeds.
Reno County commissioners voted to contract Wichita State University to conduct a countywide survey of registered voters to assess support for a potential county sales tax and to test voter priorities and acceptable uses for tax proceeds.
County staff said the contracted survey would cost $26,740 and take about five months to complete. The work would use registered‑voter sampling to identify whether a sales tax — for example a half‑cent or one cent — would be likely to succeed and which spending priorities voters would support. Staff recommended completing the survey before pursuing legislative approval (required in 2026) and before committing time and money to a ballot campaign.
The county will initially cover the full cost; staff said they could ask cities to share expenses later but needed to start the five‑month process to have results before the next legislative session. Commissioners voted to proceed, with the condition that any additional work beyond the contracted scope would return to the commission for approval.
County staff said the county currently does not have a countywide sales tax and that some municipal or special district taxes have sunset or are scheduled to sunset in some places, which could affect decisions about structure and timing. Commissioner discussion noted the importance of clear public information about how proceeds would be spent.
