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Wichita Forward
Mission
Wichita Forward is a non-partisan coalition of business and community leaders whose singular aim is to advocate for ideas that advance the flourishing and prosperity of Wichita. Wichita Forward is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization.
Origin Story
Wichita Forward advocates for a vibrant, prosperous future for every Wichitan. This unified coalition of business and community leaders came together around a shared vision of our city’s boundless potential, and a pivotal question ignited us: “Is the moment now?” We weaved together local insights, national research, and the heartfelt voices of the community to forge a bold proposal: a sales tax to lower property taxes, advance public safety, and address homelessness. We invite you to delve into the research, embrace the vision outlined, and join us in championing this crucial endeavor. We firmly believe the future of Wichita rests in the heart and hands of its citizens. Thank you for helping us take the first step to move Wichita Forward!
Proposal
Wichita Forward is advancing a one-cent sales tax referendum to support property tax relief, advancements in public safety, and investments to curb homelessness. Sunsetting after seven years, the sales tax and all proposed projects it accomplishes would be overseen by an independent citizen oversight committee. Download City of Wichita Approved Ballot Language for Ordinance NO. 52-866 1% Sales Tax.
For more information go to WatchWichita.com.
Oversight and Accountability
Citizen oversight committees are a vital mechanism used by cities to ensure transparency and accountability for voter-approved sales tax measures. Establishing this committee as a condition of the ballot measure acts as a promise to voters that funds will be spent strictly as defined in the proposal.
Based on best practices identified in the research of similar citizen oversight committees, Wichita Forward recommends the city incorporate the following standard features:
- Independence: Members must not be current city employees or elected officials (with exceptions only for specific union representatives if deemed necessary).
- Limited Scope: The committee should not decide which projects to fund; their mandate is to verify that funded projects match the voter-approved list.
- Sunset Clause: The committee structure should be tied to the duration of the tax, dissolving automatically if the tax expires.
- Annual Audit: The committee’s primary tool for accountability should be the review and presenteation of an independent financial audit to the public and City Council.
Research
Overall:
- LEAD Wichita: State of Our City Dashboard
- City Council Discusses Sales Tax Options (May 2025/ 2:02)
- Expanded Polling Information
- Download City of Wichita Approved Ballot Language for Ordinance NO. 52-866 1% Sales Tax
Building a Safe & Resilient Community
Community & Culture
- Greater Wichita Partnership Downtown Wichita Masterplan
- Wichita Century II and Bob Brown Convention Center District Visioning
Performing Arts
Coalition Members
Business
Name
Company
Matt Michaelis
Emprise Bank
Victor Ojeleye
Hutton
Pam Regehr
Fidelity Bank
Simpson Construction
Simpson Construction
Tien Huynh
The G1 Group
Shirley Biggins
Fidelity Bank
Shawn Whisenhant
Fidelity Bank
Scott Schwindaman
Onyx-3
Sharon Bastian
Fidelity Bank
Nathan VanderGriend
PROTECT
Moji Rosson
Meritrust
Michelle Wolz
Fidelity Bank
Michael Ramsey
Bokeh Development
Matt Burchett
Thrive Restaurant Group
Jon Rolph
Thrive Restaurant Group
Jason Cox
Cox Machine
Doug Stark
Comfort Care Homes
Janet Schwindaman
Onyx-3
Ben Hutton
Hutton
Clark Bastian
Fidelity Bank
Evan Rosell
SevenFold
Brad Elliott
Equity Bank
Citizen
Name
Company
Gary Schmitt
Intrust Bank
Ron Draper
Textron
Christina Long
Vera Bothner
Thea Panjunen
Robyn Chadwick
Rob Santore
Miranda Dawn
LaTasha St Arnault
Kent Miracle
Julie Dixon
Jim Bothner
Jason Gregory
Damon Young
Erin Hutton
Chevis Rebstock
Bree Cox
Small Business
Name
Company
Chad Glenn
GreyTen
Rachael Murphy
GreyTen
Doug Wohlford
Automation Plus
Sheryl Wohlford
Automation Plus
Jen Ray
The Monarch
Steve Dixon
Hoidale
Jacob Wayman
Orange Theory
Janelle King
The Workroom
Allison Baker
The Vault Collective
Non-Profit
Name
Organization
Michael Monteferrante
Envision
Adam Barlow-Thompson
The Neighboring Movement
Angela Cassette
Music Theatre Wichita
Representative
Name
Organization
Arts Council
Arts Council
Downtown Wichita
Downtown Wichita
Wichita Police and Fire Foundation
Wichita Police and Fire Foundation
United Way
United Way
Greater Wichita Partnership
Greater Wichita Partnership
Wichita Firefighters Union
Wichita Firefighters Union
Susie Santo
Visit Wichita
Government
Name
Organization
Education
Name
Organization
Join the coalition and us help move Wichita Forward!
Frequently Asked Questions
A 1-cent sales tax isn’t a new idea, nor did Wichitans just start talking about it. Discussions at city council (May 27, 2025 Budget Workshop), downtown Wichita plans (Jan 2025), Visit Wichita studies (Feb 2023), and conversations around homelessness and housing (November 5, 2024 Budget Meeting & PPMC Study, February 2025) have been ongoing for over a decade.
Wichita Forward pulled together all of these city-wide conversations and built a plan that was simple yet comprehensive.
City Council. City Council — our elected representatives — will approve ALL allocations of money and coordinate projects with the independent Citizen Oversight Committee.
The proposal recommends that City Council appoint a 15-member citizen oversight committee, with subcommittees for each project consisting of key stakeholders and subject experts. The Citizen Oversight Committee is responsible for:
- Reviewing ALL projects
- Making recommendations to City Council of projects to fund
- Conduct annual, third-party audits of all projects and expenditures
Wichita Forward's proposal provides $25 million for CII over 7 years, which is more than double what the city’s CIP allocates ($11 million) over 10 years.
All funds allocated to CII will go to the revitalization of the performance space, and will be overseen by the Citizens Oversight Committee for full transparency and accountability.
Wichita Forward has suggested $20 million in allocated funds go towards initiatives that address affordable housing.
All funds allocated to affordable housing will be overseen by the Citizen Oversight Committee to ensure full transparency and accountability.