In a vote reflecting conflicting opinions on taxes, inflation and future budgets, the Wichita City Council voted Tuesday to adopt a budget for city operations in 2024.
The 2024-25 budget is over $714.6 million, with various funds, transactions and capital programs bringing it to a total of $970 million. The council earlier voted to exceed the revenue neutral rate that is defined by state law as the rate that would keep the dollar amount of taxes flat compared to the previous year. Exceeding the rate means that while the mill levy remains the same, the dollar amount of property taxes collected by the city will be higher, going from $139.1 million in 2023 to $151.7 million for 2024.
The city’s budget director, Mark Manning, told the council that using the revenue neutral rate would significantly diminish the city’s resources to address growth concerns and it would require budget reductions.
Mayor Brandon Whipple said property appraisals by Sedgwick County have taken values higher than inflation. He said the budget will include $660,000 in targeted property tax relief for low-income families, using guidelines from the state’s SAFESR program for low-income seniors and the Homestead Refund. Program guidelines will be presented to the City Council in the fall, based on state tax code eligibility. Whipple said this will allow eligible families to live in Wichita free of property tax.
Council member Bryan Frye said he struggled with the revenue neutral rate, saying that increases in property values are based on reappraisal and not on new construction. He said he struggles with the city having a 2023 surplus and not giving that back to the taxpayers now when they need it the most. Frye also raised concerns about higher costs due to inflation, and he feels the city needs to address projected shortfalls now for 2025, 2026 and 2027. He moved to lower the city’s mill levy, but a substitute motion to approve exceeding the revenue neutral rate passed by a 4-3 vote.
The vote to approve the budget was also 4-3, with Frye and Council members Becky Tuttle and Jeff Blubaugh voting no.
The features of the budget include:
- funding for enhancements to police body cameras
- EMT certification for all Fire recruits
- $53 million for upkeep of City facilities
- $145 million for street maintenance over the next 10 years
- $35 million to pave dirt streets
- Extending Library hours at Angelou and Walters
- Cultural facility improvements at Cowtown, the Mid-American All Indian Museum, CityArts and Century II
- Property tax relief for seniors
