Wichita City Council Meeting Summary – August 26, 2025

The Wichita City Council met on August 26, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered the adoption of the 2026 annual operating budget and capital improvement program, a revenue-neutral rate hearing for the Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) and the City of Wichita, public comments on animal shelter conditions and park maintenance, and approval of travel expenses. Key outcomes included a historic mill levy reduction of 0.5 mills, approval of a 10-mill levy for the downtown SMID to fund a clean and safe program, and adoption of the 2026–2035 CIP with an amendment to fund the former Central Library renovation.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Minutes from August 12 and August 19, 2025, were approved 7-0.
• Consent Agenda Items 1–12: Approved 7-0, including cereal malt beverage licenses, agreements, property acquisitions, community event alcohol permits, second-reading ordinances, and planning plats.
• Board of Bids and Contracts: Approved 7-0, including a $4,321,749.50 engineering contract for Mount Vernon improvements.
• Petitions for Public Improvements: Approved 7-0 for Young 2nd Addition (water, sewer, drainage, paving) in District II.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Diana Tedlock (Maggie's District): Criticized the 2026 proposed budget for the Wichita Animal Shelter, stating that non-labor dollars decreased by 9.2% while labor dollars increased by almost 22% (including $225,000 for a captain position transfer). She reported that 1,029 animals had been killed at the shelter through July 2025. She argued that the reorganization effectively reduced headcount and that the K-State shelter report had been denied public access. She urged the council to honor promises of improvement.
• Janice Thacker (Art That Touches Your Heart): Spoke about using art to connect students to family and community, and highlighted the Ruby's Culture Campus project and a memorial sculpture for Anthony Gunther. She also commented on painting buildings white to reduce heat.
• Celeste Rassette (Wichita Sister Cities, Save Century 2): Raised concerns about park maintenance, particularly at A Price Woodard Park, where volunteer-planted flowers died due to lack of irrigation. She noted that the city has cut park staff from 158 to about 100 while maintaining 5,000 acres of park space. She questioned the SMID increase and requested biannual detailed reports on the clean and safe program.
• Jan Manlove: Criticized overgrown flower beds at Equity Bank Park (Maple Street), calling it embarrassing for tourists.
• Unnamed speaker (budget concerns): Asked for an audit of animal services and police lunch breaks, and suggested that if police officers are paid for lunch but not called out, they should work an extra hour to help with staffing shortages. He also referenced a recent incident where a citizen refused to leave the podium and asked about reparations (no dollar amount specified).

Discussion Items

• Revenue Neutral Rate – SSMID (Downtown SMID): Mark Manning (Finance) presented the need to exceed the revenue neutral rate for the Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District, which funds the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation. Heather Schroeder (Downtown Wichita) described a pilot clean and safe program that in its first eight weeks covered 458 blocks with one part-time staffer. The SMID Advisory Board requested a 10-mill levy (up from 6.8 mills) to expand the program full-time, generating an additional approximately $364,000. Councilmembers discussed oversight, line-item reporting, and engagement with homeless services. Mayor Wu requested biannual public progress reports and more detailed financial information from staff. The resolution passed 7-0.
• Revenue Neutral Rate – City of Wichita: Mark Manning explained that exceeding the revenue neutral rate allows the city to capture growth and inflation. The proposed 2026 budget would levy $175 million (up $11.5 million from the $164 million revenue neutral level) but with a 0.5-mill reduction in the overall mill levy—the first such reduction since 1986. Councilmembers debated the tax increase versus service needs. Mayor Wu voted against, stating she had requested a budget that only captured inflation and new construction (4.5% growth) rather than the 7% captured. Other members noted the average taxpayer benefit of $14 and the need to fund public safety and streets. The resolution passed 6-1 (Mayor Wu nay).
• 2026 Annual Operating Budget and 2026–2035 Capital Improvement Program: Mark Manning presented the $776 million budget, guided by the strategic plan and community survey. He highlighted that 64% of general fund expenditures go to public safety, and that the CIP is $3 billion over 10 years, with 63% in high-priority categories. The proposed budget includes a 0.5-mill reduction, but forecasts show a deficit of $3.9 million in 2028 and $7.1 million in 2029. Councilmember Tuttle abstained from the WSU mill levy vote due to a conflict of interest. Councilmember Johnson expressed support for investments in parks, libraries, and arts as crime prevention tools. Councilmember Glascock praised the tax cut and called for future efficiency reforms. Mayor Wu opposed the budget due to the deficit projections and the lack of a more conservative revenue increase. The budget was adopted 6-1.
• CIP Amendment – Former Central Library Renovation: Mayor Wu introduced an amendment to add $2 million in transient guest tax funding to the 2026 cultural facilities maintenance project for renovating the first floor of the former Central Library into event space. The project would create two ballrooms and a catered space, with improvements including restrooms, HVAC, carpets, and a patio. The amendment passed 7-0.
• Council Member Agenda: Travel expenses for Councilmember Hoheisel (Altus/Lackland Civic Leader Tour, San Antonio, Sept 16–18, 2025) and Vice Mayor Johnston (Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range Tour, Salina, Oct 22, 2025) were approved 7-0. Mayor Wu’s acceptance of a gift ($1,600 for travel, hotel, meals) to attend the 2025 Hunt Mayors Leadership Fellowship (Oct 23–24, Fort Worth) was approved 7-0.
• Council Member Appointments: Teresa Ortega was appointed to the Wichita Airport Advisory Board (Sedgwick County District 3) 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• SSMID Revenue Neutral Rate: Approved 7-0 to exceed the revenue neutral rate, levying 10 mills (up from 6.8) for the downtown SMID to fund a clean and safe program, with biannual public reports and enhanced financial oversight.
• City Revenue Neutral Rate: Approved 6-1 (Mayor Wu opposed) to exceed the revenue neutral rate, enabling the 2026 budget property tax levy of $175 million.
• 2026 Annual Operating Budget: Adopted 6-1 (Mayor Wu opposed), including approval of second-reading ordinances for TIF districts and the SSMID, and amendments to the 2025 budget for Ice Rink, Century II, Sewer, and Affordable Housing funds.
• 2026–2035 Capital Improvement Program: Adopted 7-0 with an amendment adding $2 million for the former Central Library renovation.
• WSU Mill Levy: Approved 6-0 (Councilmember Tuttle abstained) for the use of local funds derived from property within corporate limits.
• Travel and Gift Approvals: All three travel/gift items approved 7-0.
• Airport Advisory Board Appointment: Teresa Ortega appointed 7-0.