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Lobbyist: sales tax fix is complex; Wichita plans water reuse briefing in early session
Summary
The city's lobbyist briefed the council on the joint legislative agenda, saying a proposed local sales-tax change is complicated at the state level and that Wichita will present water reuse plans to the House Water Committee early in the session.
Lobbyist Josh Swati briefed the council on the city's legislative priorities, focusing on a local sales tax issue and a planned informational briefing on water reuse.
Swati told council members the joint legislative agenda and city-specific requests are moving forward but cautioned that changing how the city's sales tax functions is "pretty complicated within the context of streamline sales tax." He said state delegation members have language ready but it may not be finalized before the city's local vote; the purpose of early outreach is to demonstrate that the council is "trying to work through the process."
On water policy, Swati said Wichita will pursue an informational briefing in the first week of the legislative session: "on the fifteenth, Gary will be there in the building in front of the House Water Committee talking about Wichita's plans for water reuse." He added that the session is on an accelerated timetable and staff expect business to move quickly, with an eye toward wrapping major work by April tax day.
City staff also reminded council that a workshop is scheduled for Jan. 27 to go into more detail on the sales-tax proposal and other items on the legislative agenda.
What happens next: Council will receive presentations at the Jan. 27 workshop and staff will continue coordination with state delegation members and county and chamber partners.
