At Tuesday's Wichita City Council meeting, we learned more about the city's proposed $714.7 million budget for 2024.
City salaries and benefits comprise 40 percent of that budget. With the exception of Libraries and Human Resources, all other city departments will have a budget increase.
Council member Brandon Johnson hinted that the increased budget pressures would necessitate an increase in the mil levy, which has remained flat for 30 years at 32.762 mils. Council member Jeff Blubaugh disagreed and said the city shouldn't raise taxes but consider ways to trim the budget instead.
The entire city budget, along with details on the 10-year capital improvement program, can be found on the city's website or by visiting your nearest library branch.
Party bus companies in Wichita will now have to be licensed by the city.
The Wichita City Council approved the new ordinance for "entertainment transportation vehicles." The city says it will cost the companies $100 a year for licensing.
Wichita Police say a pattern of bad behavior such as underage drinking, violence and even strippers on some buses, led to the proposal the council approved on Tuesday.
The city will soon replace its fleet of carts at its municipal golf courses. The contract with Masek Golf Car will cost the city a maximum of $1.77 million dollars over 5 years. Beginning in August, the city will begin acquiring its new fleet of 280 carts: 72 battery-powered and the rest gas-powered. The city will pay for the new models from the sale of the old carts and by raising cart rental fees by $2.
Wichita has a new city park. The council approved the new location in the 500 block of N. McLean. Until a permanent name is chosen, it will be called "Poem Park." The land is already owned and maintained by the city, so there are no additional budgetary concerns.
