Wichita City Council Meeting: Sales Tax, Housing, and Arts, January 27, 2026

The Wichita City Council met on January 27, 2026, to discuss several key items, with the central focus being the proposed 1% sales tax referendum for the March 3, 2026 special election. The meeting included presentations from city staff, a public comment period, and deliberation on projects including a $225 million convention center upgrade, $150 million homeless and housing fund, $150 million property tax relief, $225 million public safety improvements, and a $75 million new downtown performing arts center. The council also addressed the future of Century II, procurement policies, and operational guardrails for the tax. No final votes were taken on the guardrails, but a special council meeting was moved to February 10, 2026 at 6 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the January 20, 2026 regular meeting (7-0).
• Approved consent agenda items 1-16, with items 5, 10, 11, and 12 pulled for separate discussion.
• Item 5 (Proclamations): Approved National Mentor Month proclamation (7-0).
• Items 10, 11, 12 (Wichita Housing Authority property sales): Approved following explanation of sale prices differing from appraised values (7-0).
• Board of Bids and Contracts dated January 26, 2026: Approved, with some items withdrawn due to a formal protest (7-0).
• Approved travel expenses for Councilmembers Ballard and Tuttle to NLC Congressional City Conference, March 15-18, 2026 (7-0).
• Approved Councilmember Johnston's travel for Government Day in Topeka, January 27-28, 2026 (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Pastor Donna Goltree (Co-chair, Justice Together): Expressed full support for the Wichita Affordable Housing Fund, urging at least $10 million in annual ongoing funding. Stated housing costs have risen 140% while wages grew only 70% over 20 years, and 72% of low-income renters (27,000 households) are cost-burdened. Cited the fund's creation of 80 affordable homes in one year and called for council to honor commitments made in May 2025.
• Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone (Co-president, Justice Together): Emphasized the moral urgency of affordable housing, noting housing costs have risen twice as fast as wages. Stated Justice Together is prayerfully discerning its position on the sales tax, guided by three questions: does it secure $10 million annual funding for the housing fund, does it address housing/homelessness holistically, and does it avoid worsening inequalities. Urged council to achieve $10 million in annual funding regardless of the sales tax outcome.
• Trevor Darmstedder (District 2 resident): Expressed concern about a Wichita Forward ad that called opponents "communists," stating it undermined trust. Supported the sales tax initiatives (police, fire, housing, Century II) but questioned Wichita Forward's governance. Asked council to hold them to a higher standard. Mayor and council members acknowledged the ad was a lapse in judgment and committed to respectful discourse.
• Kent Miracle (Citizen, business leader, board member of Second Light and Coalition to End Homelessness): Shared personal story of homelessness and recovery. Stated Wichita spends at least $20 million annually on homelessness-related costs (911 calls, ER visits, police resources), with 6,600 police calls tied to homelessness last year. Urged support for the 1% sales tax as a necessary investment in safety, stability, and opportunity.
• Scott Regats (General Manager, Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview; Visit Wichita Board member): Spoke in support of the sales tax, highlighting the need for a new convention center to attract conventions and events that bring fresh dollars to the local economy, supporting nearly 17,000 jobs. Emphasized public safety resources for first responders.
• Ben Salceta (Kansas Aviation Museum): Praised council for prioritizing issues (Second Light, fire stations) and urged passage, noting that while no proposal is perfect, progress is essential. Criticized vilification of those proposing the tax and called for civility.
• Pete Nahara (President/CEO, United Way of the Plains): Endorsed a yes vote, citing benefits for public safety, homelessness services (Second Light sheltering over 300 during cold snap), and economic growth from a new convention/performing arts center. Noted 20-30% of sales tax revenue would come from non-residents.
• Heather Schroeder (Executive Director, Downtown Wichita): Supported the 1% tax, noting 736 people experiencing homelessness in 2024 (annual point-in-time count scheduled for January 29, 2026). Stated Second Light's federal funding expires September 30, 2026, and the tax would provide perpetual operation funding.
• Matt Lowe (Lead staff, Coalition to End Homelessness): Endorsed the plan presented by housing staff. Stated homelessness cost the community over $20 million annually, and 43% of those served in 2025 either reentered or remained homeless due to lack of housing. Urged a balanced approach including shelter operations, affordable housing fund, and gap services.
• Tim Starhoff (Executive Director, Wichita Symphony): Stressed the need for a new performing arts center, citing accessibility issues (limited wheelchair spaces) and inadequate facilities that fail to match the caliber of musicians. Noted that present infrastructure undermines efforts to retain talent and attract visitors.
• Evan Rosal (District 1 resident): Supported the sales tax as a necessary investment in basics (public safety, infrastructure, quality of life). Argued capture of revenue from visitors and avoidance of bond interest are responsible. Called for vision and resolve, not cynicism.
• Jeff Fleur (President, Greater Wichita Partnership): Supported the referendum as critical for the city's future, emphasizing the need for a convention center and performing arts center to position Wichita for success. Expressed confidence private fundraising for a new performing arts center ($75 million) would succeed and offered to be part of the effort.
• Dan Clifford (Director, Second Light Shelter): Described crisis during cold snap: sheltering over 365 people, staff working 16-hour shifts, one person hospitalized with frostbite. Stated 72 unhoused people died last year. Emphasized that the sales tax provides proactive funding for evidence-based solutions capable of solving homelessness.
• Bob Nelson (Goddard resident, Wichita roots): Asked not to overcomplicate the sales tax proposal. Requested analysis comparing net benefits of spending on Second Light/affordable housing/police/fire versus costs to housing-burdened individuals. Questioned how property tax relief bucket would work (taking in money to reduce mill levy) and requested explanation.
• Russell Fox (Professor, Friends University; Justice Together member): Cited Justice Together's first consideration: does the proposal secure $10 million annual funding for the Affordable Housing Fund? Stated this is less subjective and should be a key objective. Urged good faith effort to reach that goal to ensure passage.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations and Awards: Celebrated National Mentor Month (with statistics: 92% of mentored youth more likely to volunteer, 75% more likely to hold leadership roles, 74% of adults with mentors attribute later success) and 40th anniversary of Wichita-Kaifeng, China sister city partnership. Kaifeng delegation presented gifts including a porcelain chrysanthemum plate and wood prints.
• Wichita Housing Authority Property Sales (Items 10-12): Staff explained that sale prices differ from appraised values due to market changes and area desirability. Councilmember Shepard inquired about programs to help existing tenants become homeowners. Staff noted an increase in homebuyer offers and highlighted the Home Repair Program for low-income homeowners.
• Board of Bids and Contracts: Josh Lauber (Finance) presented items including a water line extension, concrete delivery, and fire hydrants. A formal protest was filed on pump station repairs (items withdrawn). Council discussed open bidding, sole-sourcing, and internal controls. Councilmember Ballard proposed guardrails requiring sealed bids and open competition, with no special treatment for entities connected to the sales tax campaign.
• Special Election Sales Tax Implementation:
  • City staff presented a proposal for the 1% sales tax, estimated to generate $120-130 million annually for 7 years or until $850 million is collected. Staff recommended a cash-only, pay-as-you-go approach with no debt, and proportional allocation of interest income and shortfalls. Revenue projections assumed 3% annual growth.
  • A potential state food sales tax exemption would reduce revenue by an estimated $81 million (if effective July 1, 2026) or $45.5 million (if effective 2029).
  • A citizens oversight committee (15 members, appointed by council, 3-year terms) would verify expenditures align with ballot purposes.
  • Public Safety (225M): Funds for police/fire facility construction, vehicles, equipment, and maintenance. Resolution explicitly prohibits use for staffing or salary increases.
  • Property Tax Relief (150M): Estimated to reduce mill levy by 3.7-4.0 mills (11.5-12% reduction). Not tied to the state homestead exemption program. Staff advised a homestead program would likely cost less than $1.4 million and must be funded from the general fund.
  • Century II Revitalization & Convention Center (225M): Susie Santo (Visit Wichita) detailed deficiencies: current Bob Brown Convention Center (90,000 sq ft) is not subdividable; only 60,000 sq ft meets industry standards. Proposed expansion to 130,000 sq ft contiguous exhibit space, 40,000 sq ft ballroom, and 30,000 sq ft meeting rooms. Economic impact estimated at $32 million direct annual visitor spending.
  • Homeless & Housing Services (150M): Housing Director Sally Stang proposed creating a restricted fund, with annual allocations for Second Light operations ($690K in Q4 2026, $2.75M in 2027+) and $70 million over 7 years for affordable housing. Endowment would grow to over $100 million, generating ~$3.5M annually after seven years.
  • Performing Arts Center (75M): Angela Cassette (Managing Director, Music Theater Wichita) outlined a ~180,000 sq ft facility with 2,000-seat main hall and 500-seat second space. Stated private fundraising would match the $75 million, with the total project cost estimated at $150 million. A one-to-one match was emphasized.
• Guardrails & Prioritization: Council debated prioritization of three initiatives (public safety, property tax relief, homeless/housing) for the first $300 million collected. The mayor proposed a 3-way split of the first $100 million to each. Councilmember Johnston suggested a different split: $100M to housing, $100M to public safety, $25M to property tax relief. No consensus reached. Council also discussed enforcement of a four-mill property tax reduction, but deferred to February 10, 2026 meeting for formal votes. Several council members proposed amendments to resolutions, including quarterly reports, a digital dashboard, expanded oversight committee with subcommittees, and language requiring no special treatment for entities supporting or opposing the sales tax.
• Loan vs. Cash: The mayor proposed a temporary loan from the general fund to front-fund the homeless/housing initiative before sales tax proceeds accumulate. Finance Director Mark Manning warned this could impact the city's AAA bond rating and is not recommended. Councilmember Johnston strongly opposed a loan, emphasizing a cash-only, pay-as-you-go approach. The majority of council concurred with no loan.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Items: Approved as listed.
• Board of Bids and Contracts: Approved (7-0).
• Sales Tax Referenda Discussion: No final votes on guardrails or resolutions; all items deferred to the February 10, 2026 regular meeting (moved to 6 PM). Staff will prepare multiple options for property tax relief (including a four-mill reduction and a standard version) and will also draft Resolution 55 addressing a potential grocery tax exemption.
• Public Safety Resolution: No changes; will be voted on February 10.
• Homeless/Housing Resolution: Council majority supported staff's proposed resolution (using both principal and interest over seven years), with staff instructed to add language clarifying the fund name as "Homeless and Housing Assistance Fund."
• Century II/Convention Center Resolution: Council will consider referencing City Council Policy 38 (requiring a public vote before demolition of Century II) and adding a parking study requirement during design. No vote taken.
• Performing Arts Center Resolution: The mayor proposed requiring $50 million in private funds be expended before any public funds are released. Council deferred without consensus.
• Overall Oversight Resolution: Council discussed expanding the oversight committee to include subcommittees for each initiative and a digital dashboard. Staff instructed to prepare amendments.
• Special Meeting Date: The February 10, 2026 regular 9 AM meeting was moved to 6 PM to allow evening public participation (motion passed 7-0). No downtown advisory board meeting will be held that evening.