Wichita City Council Passes Guardrails for 1% Sales Tax Proposal

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The Wichita City Council has passed seven guardrails to establish spending priorities and requirements for the five initiatives that would be funded by a proposed 1% sales tax. The measures are designed to provide clarity for voters ahead of the upcoming election, formalizing the spending amounts for each initiative including property tax relief, public safety, downtown revitalization, homeless and housing services, and a new performing arts center.

Why it matters

This sales tax proposal represents a significant investment in Wichita's future, and the guardrails are intended to ensure the funds are allocated transparently and in alignment with the city's key priorities as determined by the city council. The measures also include provisions to mitigate the impact on low-income residents, such as potential grocery tax exemptions and direct payments.

The details

The guardrails specify that property tax relief would receive $150 million, public safety $225 million, Century Two revitalization and convention center expansion $250 million, homeless and housing services $150 million, and the new downtown performing arts center $75 million. Property tax relief would be the first initiative supported, with a four mill reduction applied in fiscal year 2027 once $20 million in sales tax revenue is collected. The performing arts center would require $50 million in private funding before sales tax revenue could be used. The city could also exempt groceries from the sales tax or provide annual $55 payments to low-income households to offset the burden.

• The city council passed the guardrails on February 12, 2026.
• The proposed 1% sales tax would be on the upcoming election ballot.
• If approved, property tax relief would be implemented starting in fiscal year 2027.

What’s next

The proposed 1% sales tax measure will be on the upcoming election ballot for Wichita voters to consider.