The city of Wichita held their second public hearing on the city's 2026 proposed budget.
In all, the proposed budget totals $776 million and will be supported by a mill levy of 32.316 mills, a half-mill lower than in 2025.
Thanks to some adjustments, the city says the budget is balanced in 2026 and even in 2027, with deficits forecast in the following years.
Council member Dalton Glasscock suggested the creation of a Wichita local sales tax to help fund the city's budget. He said about 30 percent of estimated revenue from such a sales tax would come from out of town visitors. Such a tax would help lower dependence on property tax collections for the budget and would lower Wichita homeowner's property tax bill.
Any additional local sales tax would have to be approved by Wichita voters.
Crime prevention, police and fire services, street maintenance, along with water and sewer are prioritized in the proposed budget.
The city's 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) totals just over $3 billion dollars, with several projects slated for the city, including 2 new police stations, 9 new fire stations, and K-96 expansion plans.
There are two more opportunities to provide feedback on the budget: August 19th and the final time on the 26th, when the budget will be approved.
Also at Thursday night's meeting, the council selected a consulting firm that will recruit a new city manager.
The city received 20 submittals from firms, which was narrowed down to three finalists. In the end, the council selected CPS HR Consulting, a firm that has proven experience and success, and will be able to meet the December 1 deadline to select and recommend a candidate for hire.
The contract with the firm is a flat fee of $30,000, with extra costs expected to bring the total to $42,000.
Current City Manager Robert Layton is retiring at the end of the year.