Wichita City Council Meeting Summary (December 9, 2025)

The Wichita City Council convened on December 9, 2025, to address diverse agenda items ranging from routine approvals and budget awards to significant public policy debates regarding a proposed one-percent sales tax. Mayor Wu presided over the session, which included public testimony on animal shelter conditions, neighborhood safety concerns, landlord-tenant disputes, and the city's future financial planning.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the regular meeting held on December 2nd, 2025 (7-0).
• Received and approved the GFOA Distinguished Budget Award for the 2026 adopted budget, marking the city's thirty-ninth consecutive year of receiving this honor.
• Approved Consent Agenda items one through 11, including contracts for engineering, mattress recycling, and shelving units (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

Animal Welfare and Shelter Conditions

• Jeanette Peterson (Wichita Animal Shelter and Animals in Wichita) expressed strong concern regarding the condition of animals at the Wichita Animal Shelter (WAS), citing a specific incident involving a dog with a visible ear infection despite the city paying $7,722 monthly for vet care. She noted that 30% of animals entering the shelter do not leave and criticized the current system as "broken" and disconnected from public will. She stated that while the city pays for vet care, the city is failing the animals and workers. She asked why the City Council continues to ignore public pleas for change.
• City Manager Bob Leighton responded that animal control services account for $3.4 million of the police department's $142 million budget. He acknowledged concerns were heard, noted that the budget has increased over time, and affirmed the city's long-term plan for continued improvement in operations and capital projects.

Neighborhood Safety and Criminal Activity

• Victor Mariani (neighbor) testified against neighbors at 3210 Countryside Plaza, accusing them of potential criminal activity, including storing stolen vehicles and junk, driving dangerously through his yard, and burning brush late at night. He expressed fear that the neighbors are dangerous and that police have been ineffective in addressing the situation over the last year.
• George Theo Harris (neighbor) supported Mariani's testimony, stating he feels the police have failed to protect his district (District 3). He recounted a violent altercation where a neighbor called him racial slurs and threatened his family, requiring him to arm himself. He argued that community policing has failed him for three years and expressed frustration that he cannot get local officers to enforce parking and nuisance laws.

Property Maintenance and Housing Code

• Mina Lucas (tenant and Wichita native) described living in conditions she stated were worse than what one would wish on a dog, including black mold, roof leaks, and holes in the walls. She criticized the City Council for voting to repeal the list of negligent property owners and expressed fear of eviction if she reports her landlord. She stated that landlord accountability and affordable housing are "two sides of one problem" and argued that the council is too scared of landlords to act.
• Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone and various speakers from Faith communities (Justice Together) expressed that while they support the principle of affordable housing, they could not yet fully support the current sales tax proposal due to a lack of clarity on securing $10 million annually for the Wichita Affordable Housing Fund and fears that the regressive tax might worsen inequity without targeted relief.
• Steve Miller (Alliance of Overlooked Neighbors) and Darwin Eads (advocate for functional zero) testified on the urgency of funding the Second Light Multi-Agency Center (MAC), noting that operating funds expire in October 2026 and that the current plan for a segregated endowment fund may not be sufficient to reach "functional zero" homelessness without immediate investment.

Sales Tax Proposal Debates

• Support: Representatives from Wichita Forward, the Kansas Aviation Museum, Visit Wichita, the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, and local business owners (e.g., Aaron Bastion, Matt Bruchette) expressed that the 1% sales tax is necessary to fund public safety (fire/police stations), the Second Light MAC, property tax relief ($150M), Century 2 revitalization, and a future performing arts center. They argued that the tax would bring in outside revenue (20-30% from visitors), alleviate the city's projected budget deficits starting in 2028, and avoid $35M+ in interest costs associated with debt funding. They expressed that the community has been asking for this for decades and that the momentum is critical for Wichita's competitiveness.
• Opposition/Concern: Opponents, including Celeste Rosette, Faith Martin, Vincent O'Heisel, and several community members, expressed deep mistrust due to the rushed timeline, lack of specific details (e.g., no blueprints for the performing arts center), and the lack of a citizen-led process. They argued that the proposal bundles too many items without specific guardrails, that the funding allocation is vague regarding affordable housing, and that exempting food from the tax is impossible under current state law, making the tax regressive and harmful to the poor. They advocated for delaying the election to August or November to allow for more public vetting and potential state legislative changes regarding food tax exemptions.

Discussion Items

Property Maintenance Code Task Force

• The City Council reviewed recommendations from a task force appointed to review housing code enforcement. The task force, comprised of landlords, tenants, attorneys, and community members, unanimously recommended increasing mandatory fines for code violations (e.g., $1,000 minimum for a fourth offense), removing mandatory jail time provisions in favor of graduated fines, and clarifying that property owners are responsible for nuisances even if caused by tenants.
• Council members (Ballard, Glascott, Hoheisel, Tutt, Johnson) praised the task force for its broad community representation and consensus. The group agreed to appoint a smaller subcommittee to continue the work.
• The Council voted to place the amendments on first reading, including the adoption of Title 30 (neglected buildings) and increased penalties for multiple offenses.

Street Honoring

• The Council unanimously voted (7-0) to honorary rename Ash Street at 13th Street North to honor Pastor J.P. Dennis Jr., recognizing his 50+ years of service as a spiritual and civic leader in the community, his work on voter registration, and the legacy of his family (the Dennis Family).

Sales Tax Initiative (Wichita Forward Proposal)

• Technical Overview: City Manager Bob Leighton presented the mechanics of the proposed election. The ordinance calls for a special question election on March 3, 2026, to impose a 1% sales tax.
• Financials: Estimated revenue of $850 million over seven years. Categories for spending: Public Safety ($225M), Homelessness and Housing ($150M), Century 2 and Convention Center ($250M), Property Tax Relief ($150M), and Performing Arts Center ($75M).
• Oversight: The ordinance mandates a 15-member citizen oversight committee (appointed by the Council) to monitor expenditures and provide annual audits.
• Debate: Council members debated the timeline and structure. Concerns were raised regarding the inability to exempt food under current state law and the lack of specifics on affordable housing funding. Councilmember Hoheisel and others proposed a motion for a rebate program for necessities and a policy to address property tax mill levy increases post-2026.
• Vote: The motion to place the ordinance on first reading and approve the notice of a special question election passed unanimously (7-0). The Council directed staff to draft a rebate policy and a policy regarding the property tax mill levy sunset.

Economic Development Agreements

• The Council unanimously approved (7-0) a three-year contract renewal with the Greater Wichita Partnership (GWP) at $450,000 for 2026, escalating to $500,000 in 2027-2028. This supports GWP's efforts in job creation, talent development, and quality of place. They also approved a $100,000 agreement with Wichita Independent Business Association (WIBA) for small business support and incubation programs.

Starbond Project Plan Amendment

• The Council unanimously approved (7-0) an amendment to the K96 Greenwich Starbond Project Plan to allow Phase Three development by Family Destination Development. This includes a multi-sport complex with a hotel, sports fields, and commercial space. The project is estimated at $192 million, with $77.3 million in Starbond issuance. Council confirmed there is no financial risk to the city (no backstopping).

Key Outcomes

• Sales Tax Election Motion: Passed 7-0. The Council placed the ordinance calling for a 1% sales tax special election on first reading, with the election scheduled for March 3, 2026.
• Property Maintenance Amendments: Passed 7-0 on first reading. The Council adopted amendments to Chapters 8.01 and 20.04 regarding sentencing for nuisance and housing code violations, increased mandatory fines, and Title 30 regarding neglected buildings.
• Street Renaming: Passed 7-0. Ash Street at 13th Street North was voted to be renamed to honor Pastor J.P. Dennis Jr.
• Economic Development: Passed 7-0. Approved new contracts with the Greater Wichita Partnership and WIBA.
• Starbond Amendment: Passed 7-0. Approved Phase Three of the K96 Greenwich Starbond Project Plan.
• Council Directives:
  • Staff was directed to draft a policy for a rebate program for necessities (groceries) targeting seniors, disabled individuals, and low-income families, contingent on state legislative inaction.
  • Staff was directed to draft a policy regarding the property tax mill levy increasing post-2026 if the sales tax is not renewed, to be discussed at the January 20, 2026 meeting.
  • Staff was directed to prepare a comprehensive review of homelessness and affordable housing fund dispersion for a January workshop.
• Executive Session: The Council recessed into executive session at 5:10 PM regarding civil lawsuits and potential litigation.