The Wichita City Council met in a rare Tuesday evening meeting to discuss the sales tax special election on March 3.
Folks on both sides of the issue - 23 in all - used the forum to voice their opinion.
After public input, the council approved several expenditure guidelines, guardrails and funding priorities for the proceeds. It includes using the first $21 million, or an amount sufficient for a 4-mill reduction, starting in fiscal year 2027, to provide property tax relief. The next $280 million shall be allocated to property tax relief, homeless and housing and public safety until each receives $100 million, then all of the initiatives shall be funded on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with the ballot language, up to each initiative’s maximum revenue amount.
Another resolution approved says projects including deferred maintenance at existing public safety facilities may be prioritized, excluding the construction of the new Southwest and Northwest fire stations and the new West Patrol Police station.