Wichita council votes to put 1% ‘Wichita Forward’ sales‑tax question on March ballot after heated debate

Wichita City Council voted 7‑0 on Dec. 16 to place a proposed 1% local sales tax — the Wichita Forward package — before voters in a special election March 3, 2026. City Manager Bob Layton and representatives of Wichita Forward outlined a seven‑year plan that would raise an estimated $850 million and allocate funds for public safety capital, homelessness and housing services, Century II and convention center improvements, property‑tax relief and a new downtown performing arts center.

The council’s action followed a lengthy second‑reading presentation by City Manager Bob Layton and detailed questioning by council members about how relief for low‑income households would be handled. Staff offered one option using the state Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) award letter to verify eligibility for a proposed rebate of about $50 per qualifying household; housing and community services staff said roughly 23,000–27,000 Wichita households might qualify under current LEAP usage figures. The city estimated a special election would cost about $150,000 and that collections would begin July 1, 2026 if voters approve the tax.

Public testimony consumed much of the meeting. Opponents said the proposal was rushed and opaque and warned the tax would be regressive, with only modest rebates for many lower‑income households. Supporters including the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Wichita and the Wichita Forward coalition said the package would provide stable funding for homelessness services, modernize convention and performance facilities and free capital in the CIP for other needs, while allowing voters to decide.

Council members debated whether to split the package into separate ballot questions; legal staff cautioned that changes at this stage could require additional readings and risk missing deadlines for overseas (UOCAVA) ballots. The council adopted a motion to put the package on the March ballot, and accepted a friendly amendment requiring staff to return next week with a resolution stating public funds for the performing‑arts component may not be spent until a stated amount of private matching funds have been raised. Mayor Wu said the resolution language will be before council at a regular meeting next week so the intent is on the record.

The council also directed staff to provide more detail to the public in coming weeks about CIP cross‑references, project lists, oversight committee makeup (a 15‑member citizen committee is proposed) and the mechanics of the potential rebate. The election commissioner told council that the deadline for ordinance language is the Friday after this meeting to meet logistics for UOCAVA ballots.

What happens next: If council finalizes language and meets the election timetable, Wichita voters will decide the Wichita Forward 1% sales‑tax question March 3, 2026. Staff will return with the private‑matching resolution and additional implementation details.