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Wichita council places 1% sales-tax question on ballot after hours of debate and public comment
Summary
The Wichita City Council voted unanimously to place a proposed 1% city sales tax on first reading, sending a March special-election question to the county; the plan would generate an estimated $850 million over seven years for public safety, homelessness and housing, convention center work, property-tax relief and a performing-arts center.
The Wichita City Council voted Dec. 9 to place an ordinance on first reading calling for a special-election question on a proposed 1% city sales tax, launching a months-long public debate over whether to raise new local revenue to pay for public safety, homelessness and housing, convention-center improvements, property-tax relief and a downtown performing-arts center.
City Manager Bob Layton described the technical steps and the coalition’s estimate for how the levy would be spent and governed. "Proposed 1% sales tax is estimated to generate approximately $850,000,000 over the 7 year period," Layton told the council, adding the measure would require a majority vote and, if approved, would create an oversight committee and an annual independent audit.
Why it matters: Supporters say the temporary tax would let the city accelerate long-delayed capital projects — new or improved fire and police facilities, convention-space upgrades and a public…
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