Frequently Asked Questions

Wichita Forward’s proposal is a citizen-led, citizen-guided and citizen-accountable investment. It was brought forward by a community coalition, not a single institution, and if approved by voters, it will be guided by an independent Citizen Oversight Committee.

It’s a citizen-led, citizen-guided and citizen-accountable investment in our community.

We’re a community coalition, not a single institution or individual drives the idea of improving Wichita. We believe together, we will make a difference.

If voters approve the ballot measure of a 1% sales tax, it will be guided by an independent Citizen Oversight Committee.

The sales tax will have clear limits, regular public reporting and third-party reviews built in to ensure accountability every step of the way.

The structure is intentionally designed with guidelines — the tax is time-limited, capped and transparent, and major decisions remain subject to public review and City Council action.

The challenges facing our city are complex problems with imperfect solutions. If the measure fails, the community’s urgent needs will not be addressed. Without the dedicated revenue from a 1% sales tax, the City would likely face the following scenarios:

• Continued Pressure on Property Taxes: The City would remain dependent on property taxes to fund core services and capital projects.
• Funding Gaps for Urgent Services: Programs for homelessness and housing services that are currently facing funding issues (due to expiring one-time ARPA grants) would lack a long-term, sustainable funding source, potentially leading to service reductions. Funding for these services runs out in September 2026 with no current plan.
• Infrastructure Delays: Major projects like the Performing Arts Center, adequate preservation efforts for Century II, and the renovations to Bob Brown Expo Hall would either be delayed indefinitely or require alternative financing that could be more expensive or lack the specific citizen oversight protections included in this proposal.
• Maintenance Backlogs: The City would have to continue managing a growing list of deferred maintenance within the constraints of the existing Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which may result in higher long-term repair costs.
• Loss of Non-Resident Contributions: Wichita would miss the opportunity to have visitors and non-residents contribute to the city’s infrastructure and amenities, leaving the full financial responsibility on local residents and property owners. Currently, visitors are estimated to fund 20-30% of the sales tax funds, resulting in approximately $200M of collection.
• Purchases Cost More: The purchase of resources our first responders need will be delayed and cost taxpayers more. A recent piece of equipment that was bonded through City of Wichita cost taxpayers $750,000 in interest due to interest fees.

These budget shortfalls are addressed through the revenue sources the city has control over including increasing property taxes, cutting vital services or reallocating existing funding. Ultimately, the problems this proposal seeks to solve would persist, requiring the City Council and the community to find other, more difficult ways to address them.

In some cases, you’ll see the impact of your vote sooner rather than later. Once tax revenue is available, some investments could begin relatively quickly.

We understand the urgency in areas like public safety, first responders and homelessness and housing crisis. The Coalition has recommended to the City Council that those projects be front-loaded investments.

Large capital projects will follow a timeline we’re more familiar with in the community, to ensure there’s plenty of space for community voices and careful planning and consideration before construction begins.

Our recommendation is simple: we are putting the most urgent needs first.

This means getting immediate funding for public safety, housing services and property tax relief for all Wichitans.

Homelessness services cannot wait. Current funding will run out. For larger-scale construction projects, formal City Council approval is required. We recommend a deliberate approach, with clear guidelines and accountability to the taxpayers with vetted processes that include design, planning and community input before the City Council makes final decisions or takes formal action.

It’s the responsibility of the City Council to be the best stewards of your tax dollars.

By keeping borrowing costs as low as possible and ensuring the money is only spent on exactly what the voters approved. This tax has clear limits and independent oversight to keep spending aligned with what voters approve.

Wichita Forward proposes that industry standards for performing arts facilities be followed, with community input during the planning phases. Wichita Forward supports a process in which:

• The Citizen Oversight Committee, working with City leadership, helps evaluate options for scope, scale, cost and location.
• The public has meaningful opportunities to weigh in during planning and design.
• Final decisions are reviewed and approved through formal City Council action.

What happens if the economy slows down?The proposal includes two built-in limits: the tax ends when it reaches $850 million or after seven years, whichever comes first.

If sales tax collections are lower than expected, the Citizen Oversight Committee would review revenue forecasts and recommend adjustments — such as phasing, resizing or sequencing projects — to stay within available funding. Accountability remains central, so the public can clearly see how and why adjustments are made.

The proposal includes two built-in limits: the tax ends when it reaches $850 million or after seven years, whichever comes first.

If sales tax collections are lower than expected, the Citizen Oversight Committee would review revenue forecasts and recommend adjustments — such as phasing, resizing or sequencing projects — to stay within available funding. Accountability remains central, so the public can clearly see how and why adjustments are made.

If collections fall below projections, the Citizen Oversight Committee would present strategic recommendations to the City Council.

The proposal is designed with built-in flexibility that allows for phasing or resizing to meet our community’s needs.

The sales tax proposal aligns with existing CIP priorities, including first responder facilities, Century II preservation work and Bob Brown Expo Hall renovations.

Wichita Forward believes this approach can reduce pressure on limited CIP capacity for major needs, while allowing the City to maintain a consistent approach to deferred maintenance and potentially free up resources for additional community priorities.

Wichita Forward recognizes that no tax impacts everyone the same way, which is why equity and affordability are core considerations in this proposal.

Property tax relief is intended to reduce cost pressure across the community, not benefit a select few. Lowering reliance on property taxes can help stabilize rents, reduce cost pass-throughs to tenants, support small business owners, and provide greater predictability for seniors and others living on fixed incomes.

To help protect households most sensitive to cost increases, Wichita Forward supports a $50 rebate for qualifying low-income households to help offset additional costs. In addition, essential purchases made with SNAP or WIC benefits are already exempt from sales tax under state and federal law.

This approach also shares responsibility more broadly by asking visitors to contribute through their spending in Wichita. Capturing revenue from non-residents helps fund community needs without placing the full burden on local households.

Taken together, these elements are designed to balance investment with fairness, protecting vulnerable residents while allowing Wichita to address urgent community needs.

If voters approve the measure, the City Council is required to appoint a 15-member Citizen Oversight Committee within 90 days.

Sales tax collection would not begin until July 2026, allowing time for the committee to be established and begin guiding accountability and transparency before any revenues are received or allocated.