Gross Domestic Product in Metropolitan Areas
Examining the economy of metropolitan areas in an interactive visualization. Wichita examples included. (more…)
22
Dec
30
Nov
Wichita property tax rate: Up, just a little
The City of Wichita property tax mill levy rose very slightly for 2022. (more…)
04
May
Century II Roof Needs Repair
Wichita has delayed maintaining Century II's roof, and it needs repair. (more…)
10
Nov
Wichita property tax rate: Up, just a little
The City of Wichita property tax mill levy rose slightly for 2021. (more…)
30
Oct
Claycomb connection to real estate developer criticized
A Wichita developer makes generous campaign contributions to a city council candidate, raising questions about both parties. (more…)
03
Aug
Wichita Primary Election, August 3, 2021
In each city council district, the top two candidates move to the general election in November. This means in district 3, Mike Hoheisel will face the newly-appointed incumbent Jared Cerullo. In district 6, Maggie Ballard runs against incumbent Cindy Claycomb.
12
Jul
Wichita City Council District 6 candidates
The Save Century II committee presented a forum of candidates for Wichita City Council District 6. There are six candidates. The primary election is August 3, 2021, and the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election on November 2, 2021. (more…)
08
May
Wichita ethics code to be considered
The Wichita city council will consider an ethics code that overlooks a simple and effective solution to a problem. This week the Wichita City Council will consider the final version of a proposed ethics code. It does not cover campaign finance. It does cover gifts to council members, which has been an issue in the past. Part of the problem with the proposal is the creation of a new board, the Ethics Advisory Board. Its members will be asked to judge things like whether a gift is "... intended or has the appearance or effect ..." The board will be…
21
Feb
Historic buildings bill on tap
A bill designed to protect two buildings in downtown Wichita has a legislative hearing this week. Last year a citizen group gathered signatures on a petition that would prevent the City of Wichita from disposing of two downtown buildings without an approving vote of a majority of citizens. Based on having the required number of valid signatures, the petition was certified as valid. But the city sued to have the petition thrown out, contending the petition went beyond what Kansas law allows as the subject of municipal petitions. A judge agreed with the city. Now the group has a bill…
21
Feb
Naftzger Park event management agreement still ambiguous
This week the Wichita City Council will update an agreement from last year, but it appears important issues were not addressed. Last February the City of Wichita approved an agreement with a local business to manage events at Naftzger Park. With the pandemic upending public events, the business -- Wave Old Town, LLC -- was unable to program any events. Therefore, the city wants to add additional time to the agreement. During the delay, the city could have addressed problems with the original agreement. Some problems concern the bidding process. My concern was the uncertainty in the profit-sharing agreement, which…