🌻 A Sales Tax Increase, You Say?

Good morning, Wichita!

I got way more engagement on yesterday’s sales tax poll than I expected — so I thought I would pull together a quick situation update on the upcoming March 2026 ballot.

Please do me a favor and hit forward on this email to some local folks — or click one of the social media buttons in the top right-hand corner above to share it more broadly!

Thank you — I can’t get these updates in front of people without your help!

TLDR Preview

A Quick Overview

An upcoming March 2026 ballot will ask Wichita residents to vote for or against a 7-year, 1% city sales tax expected to raise ~$850M, with major allocations to Century II, public safety, property-tax relief, housing/homelessness, and a performing arts center.

Supporters say it funds pressing capital needs and comes with community oversight.

Opponents say it’s regressive (even groceries would be taxed), rushed, lacking in concrete project plans, and there is skepticism around planned property-tax relief.

ON THE BALLOT

A 1% Sales Tax Increase

The Wichita City Council voted unanimously (7–0) to have a special ballot in March 2026 to determine if we should all pay an incremental 1% in sales taxes. The increased revenues would fund major public projects and services over the next several years.

It’s a big proposal — and one that would affect nearly every resident. If approved, this would be one of the largest revenue measures in Wichita’s history, shaping public spending and taxes through the early 2030s.

If rejected, the city would need to revisit how — or whether — to fund these projects through other means, such as bonding, phased development, or future tax proposals.

Here’s what you need to know:

• What: A 1% Wichita city sales tax (current sales taxes are 6.5% for Kansas, plus 1.0% of Sedgwick County, but plus 0% for Wichita)

• How long: 7 years (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2033)

• Estimated revenue: ~$850 million

• Vote: Single ballot question in a special election on March 3, 2026

👉 Important note: Even though Kansas eliminated the state sales tax on groceries, this local city tax would still apply to groceries.

Why is this tax being proposed?

City leaders and the Wichita Forward coalition have outlined the following tax revenue allocation plan:

• $250M — Century II renovation

• $225M — Public safety facilities and equipment

• $150M — Property tax relief

• $150M — Housing & homelessness initiatives

• $75M — New downtown performing arts center

More Taxes Being Contemplated?

Separately, Sedgwick County has signaled interest in a county sales-tax increase (e.g., a possible 0.25%) and Wichita Public Schools may pursue a bond later in 2026 — meaning multiple tax/bond questions could be on the horizon and interact with voters’ decisions. Wichita officials noted that timing and overlap with other potential taxes/bonds creates complexity for voters.

COST TO YOU

How Does This Impact Locals?