The Wichita City Council heard a report about the city's second quarter financial situation. The general fund is out-performing the 2021 adopted budget. Sales tax is up 9.4% from a year ago, as the economy rebounds from the pandemic.
While weakness continues in the transient guest tax, the golf fund continues to outperform. Total rounds played so far in 2021 are 10 thousand higher than last year, and by the end of 2021, the city expects a surplus in the "high six-figures."
The council heard more feedback on the proposed 2022 operating budget and the 10-year capital improvement plan. The final public hearing on the proposed $670 million budget is next Tuesday, August 24, prior to budget adoption.
Wichita is another step closer in improvements to its sewer facilities. The city currently has three requests for proposals out for those facilities and the overall collection system. The city plans to award the design contract in early November. Construction is set to begin in 2024, with a price tag of $355 million.
More enhancements are coming for the Stryker Multi-Sport Complex in northeast Wichita. The council approved re-allocating $1 million in STAR bonds to the complex back in June. The budget will cover expansion of the press box and locker rooms, along with installing safety netting. The work should be complete by the end of March 2022.