Wichita council rejects bid to delay March sales‑tax special election, 5‑2

The Wichita City Council voted 5‑2 on [date of meeting] to reject a motion to repeal the ordinance calling a March 3, 2026 special election on a proposed 1% citywide retailer sales tax and move the question to the August 4 primary. Mayor Lily Wu moved to declare an emergency and pass the repeal on a single reading; the motion, seconded by Council member Ho Bridal, failed after roll call.

The meeting followed a briefing by Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater, who told the council that recent outreach found roughly 25,500 voters — just over 10% of Wichita’s registered voters — would need to be temporarily moved to different polling places for a March special election. Rainwater said the additional mail notices and site changes increased the county’s cost estimate for the March election and that the county had paused some election expenditures pending the council’s decision. “We truly appreciate all they do to make our elections accessible to all our community,” Rainwater said of polling‑place hosts.

Opponents of delaying the vote argued the city needs the revenue sooner for public‑safety and homelessness projects identified in the proposed ballot language; supporters of delay emphasized turnout, transparency and additional time to craft guardrails. During more than two hours of public comment, speakers repeatedly urged postponing the special election to August or November so voters would have clearer information and familiar polling locations. “Too big, too rushed, too vague,” said Celeste Rosette, a former chief internal auditor, summarizing concerns about the process.

City legal staff outlined how the December ordinance set the ballot language and explained that repeal requires a one‑reading emergency ordinance to be effective immediately. Finance staff described plans to segregate referendum proceeds into distinct “buckets” with audit plans and an oversight committee, but said many details remained under development.

After the vote, the council scheduled a workshop on Jan. 27 to present more detailed proposals for the five spending categories and to allow public comment; staff were directed to return with refinements roughly two weeks later and to hold an evening town hall on Feb. 10. The council also heard that ARPA funds intended to support the Second Light shelter were being drawn down and that no other city operating funds had been allocated beyond those ARPA allocations.

The failed motion would have repealed ordinance 52‑866 calling the March 3 election and replaced it with an ordinance calling the election for Aug. 4, 2026. The clerk recorded the final roll as the motion failing 5‑2; the mayor stated the workshop and additional public outreach would inform any future council actions.

The council adjourned after agreeing on the workshop and town‑hall schedule and after a unanimous voice vote to close the meeting.