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Wichita mayor outlines details of proposed 1% sales tax, allocations and guardrails ahead of March 3 vote

Wichita City Mayor's Office · February 12, 2026

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Summary

Mayor Lily summarized the March 3 ballot measure for a 1% citywide sales tax that would take effect July 1, 2026 if adopted, described intended allocations for public safety, the convention center, tax relief, housing and arts, and said the council approved guardrails including a 4-mill cut to the city portion of the property tax levy.

Mayor Lily told attendees at the mayor's briefing that Wichita voters will decide on March 3 whether to adopt a 1% citywide sales tax intended to take effect July 1, 2026 and expire no later than June 30, 2033 if approved.

The mayor said the proposal includes specific allocations: up to $225 million for public safety, $250 million for Century II/convention center improvements, $150 million for property tax relief, $150 million for homeless and housing services, and $75 million to match private funds for a new performing arts center. "You can read the ballot language and the details within it," the mayor said, directing residents to wichita.gov/ballotquestion for the full text and for information on guardrails the council adopted earlier in the week.

The council also approved guardrails at a Tuesday meeting, the mayor said, noting a 4-mill reduction in the city portion of the property tax levy if the sales tax passes; that would reduce the city portion from 32 mills to 28 mills, which the mayor characterized as roughly a 12% decrease for the city portion. The mayor added the council prioritized the first $300 million for property tax relief, homeless and housing services, and public safety.

The mayor emphasized the council's role is to educate the public about the ballot measure but not to advocate for or against it. She said the city organized additional evening meetings to increase public engagement and pointed residents to the city's ballot-question web page for answers to common questions. The city did not provide a vote tally or final ordinance text at the briefing; details on implementation contingent on voter approval.

What happens next: the ballot will be decided by voters on March 3; if passed, the earliest stated effective date is July 1, 2026. The briefing materials and the council's guardrails are posted at wichita.gov/ballotquestion.