Wichita City Council members voted to approve a budget for city operations in 2023, but there were squabbles over revenue that led to a split vote.

The dispute is over a Revenue Neutral Rate that is now required by the Kansas Legislature for local governments in their budget process.   The rate is a mill levy that holds the gross amount of property taxes constant each year, regardless of changes in property valuations.   The city’s mill levy has been unchanged for 28 years, but property tax revenue has been higher because of increases in valuation along with new construction and development.

The Council voted 4-3 to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate for 2023, otherwise the city would have to cut almost $10 million from the budget for next year.  The city’s mill levy stays the same at 32.758 mills, but a revenue neutral rate would have brought it down to 30.414, resulting in the $10 million loss.    Mayor Brandon Whipple said without that funding, the city would have to cut programs and balance the budget on the backs of employees.   He said the city cannot reset the process that it has been working on for the past two months with public input.   Council member Bryan Frye voiced concerns about higher property taxes when families are struggling, and he thinks the budget could be addressed without looking at wage issues for city employees.   Frye voted against going over the Revenue Neutral Rate, along with Vice Mayor Becky Tuttle and Council member Jeff Blubaugh.

The vote on the overall budget had the same result, with 4-3 approval.   The budget totals over $876.8 million.  The Capital Improvement Program outlines $2.39 billion in projects over the next ten years.

The budget and capital program also provide for new police and fire stations, more tree planting and funding for new dog parks, shelters and improvements to athletic fields.  It also provides funding to catch up on maintenance needs for the Century II Convention Center.

Council member Mike Hoheisel moved to add two new animal control officers to deal with concerns in the city over stray dogs.   He said these will be temporary positions, but they will give the city time to review animal control operations and modernize them.   The city is already planning to hire new kennel staff to free animal control officers for work in the field.   Hoheisel’s proposal got unanimous approval from the council.