Wichita council places 1% sales-tax question on ballot after hours of debate and public comment

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 performing-arts venue — while creating a dedicated, partially visitor‑paid fund to support a multi‑agency center and homelessness programs. Opponents warned the tax is regressive in design, questioned the speed of the process, and pressed for clearer commitments on how much would flow to permanent affordable housing and protections for low-income households.

What supporters said: Wichita Forward, the coalition behind the proposal, presented polling and fiscal analysis saying the package would return roughly $225 million to public-safety projects, up to $150 million for homelessness and housing services (including a restricted fund), up to $250 million toward the Bob Brown convention facility and Century II, $150 million for property-tax relief and $75 million toward a performing-arts center. Wichita Forward representative Matt Brichette said the measure reflects years of research and community listening.

What critics said: Dozens of residents turned out to question timing and detail. Faith Martin told the council, "Ideologically, I oppose any new taxes, but I'm also a big fan of ballot initiatives… My concern is with the speed, cost and clarity of the special election." Legal staff and the city manager confirmed state law currently prevents exemption of groceries from a local sales tax without a statutory change and that a mail‑ballot election would cost more than an in‑person special election.

Council action and next steps: After extended debate and public comment, Councilmember Maggie Ballard moved to place the ordinance on first reading and approve the notice of a special-question election; the motion passed unanimously. Because of statutory deadlines, the council must complete a second reading and have ballot language transmitted to the Sedgwick County election commissioner by mid-December for the March 3 election window. If approved by voters, the tax would be limited to seven years and require council action to establish the oversight committee and the final project budgeting.

What remains unresolved: Advocates for affordable housing asked the council to secure a reliable annual commitment to the Wichita Affordable Housing Fund; Justice Together asked specifically whether the measure would "secure $10,000,000 annually for the Wichita Affordable Housing Fund?" (Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone). Legal staff and council members said some design clarifications are still needed, including whether and how the city would mitigate the tax's effect on low‑income households. Mayor and several council members directed staff to return with draft policy options for mitigating impacts on vulnerable households before the ordinance’s second reading on Dec. 16.

The council placed the ordinance on first reading; a second reading is scheduled for Dec. 16 and, if adopted and published, the question could appear on the March 3 ballot.