Category: Wichita city government
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Wichita Center City TIF Missed Linkage Between “Unrelated” Developers
A missed linkage between developers involved in a Wichita tax increment financing (TIF) project means progress should be stopped until all facts are known. In July, 2007, the City of Wichita considered a development plan (the Center City South Redevelopment District) for a tax increment financing (TIF) district in downtown Wichita. The beneficiary of the…
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Wichita Residential Property Tax Relief Requested
Following are remarks that Wichita businessman Craig Gabel delivered to the February 10, 2009 meeting of the Wichita city council. I think Gabel’s idea has some merit. One thing I don’t quite understand is his proposal for “a credit on each residential property owners’ tax statement.” I will ask him for clarification as to how…
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Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita Asks Candidates a few Questions
Note to raders: I made an error in the original article when I relied on a source’s representation that these questions came from the YMCA. They are actually from the Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita. The YMCA is just one of several dozen members of this group. Here are the questions asked of candidates:…
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Wichita Municipal Judges Need to be Elected
Here’s a letter from citizen activist John Todd to Wichita City Council candidate Ken Thomas. The election of Wichita municipal court judges is important for reasons John makes clear in his testimony to the Kansas Legislature from 2004, which follows. I am pleased that you are making the election of Municipal Court Judges by the…
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Wichita Center City South TIF Changes Slip Through
At the December 16, 2008 meeting of the Wichita City Council, a major revision to the development plan of a downtown Wichita TIF district was made. This TIF district is a project of Real Development, whose principals Michael Elzufon and David Lundberg are commonly known as the “Minnesota Guys.” The changes to this plan were…
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At Wichita City Council, why are some doors open, and others closed?
Steve Compton, owner of the Eaton Steakhouse in downtown Wichita, spoke to the Wichita city council on the public agenda at its February 3, 2009 meeting. Mr. Compton said he chose a bad time to start a business a year and a half ago. His business is just as important as others, he said, and…
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Ask What Questions About Downtown Wichita YMCA Deal?
Remarks to be delivered to the February 3, 2009 meeting of the Wichita city council. When considering the sale of city-owned land, the city has an obligation to get the best deal possible for the actual owners of the land, which are the citizens of Wichita. But it seems, according to the agenda report, that…
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From Kevass Harding to Lavonta Williams
One of the unusual sightings on the campaign finance report filed last month by Lavonta Williams, current Wichita city council member and candidate for re-election, is two contributions totaling $1,000 from Kevass Harding and his wife. These contributions represent the maximum it was possible for two people to give at the time.
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Lavonta Williams campaign contributions raise a few questions
Analysis of the campaign finance report recently filed by Lavonta Williams, current Wichita city council member and candidate for re-election, revealed a few interesting insights about her campaign.