By a 4-3 margin, the Wichita City Council approved their 2023 operating budget and the 10-year capital improvement program.
Prior to approving the budget, the council had to discuss and vote on whether or not the city should exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR). It is a mill levy derived by holding the gross amount of property taxes constant each year, regardless of whether assessed valuation increases or decreases.
The council voted 4-3 to exceed the RNR. Had the motion failed, the 2023 budget would have been short $9.9 million. While the mill levy remains flat at 32.758 mills, the city says assessed valuation is expected to increase by $303 million, thanks to reappraisal and new construction.
Council member Bryan Frye called it a property tax increase and said he was not comfortable with raising taxes especially with high inflation and recession fears. The Mayor responded that it wasn't a property tax increase and later accused those who voted no on exceeding the RNR--council members Frye, Blubaugh and Tuttle--of cutting funding to fire and police.
Tuttle called the Mayor's statement "inappropriate and inaccurate."
The $624 million budget includes $9 million in funding earmarked for safety enhancements to Century II. From the general fund's $276.2 million budget, $107.9 million will fund Wichita Police, $54.5 million for Wichita Fire, and Public works and utilities $37 million.
The CIP includes $31 million to build 3 new police stations, $45 million for 9 new fire stations and $141 million for city streets, including $31 million to pave roads within the city that are currently dirt.
