Category: Wichita city government
-
Questions for the next Wichita city attorney: Number 2
Will Wichita’s next city attorney continue to obstruct government transparency or be an advocate for citizens’ right to know?
-
To fund government, Wichitans prefer alternatives to raising taxes
Wichita voters prefer adjusting spending, becoming more efficient, using public-private partnerships, and privatization to raising taxes.
-
Wichita seeks to form entertainment district
A proposed entertainment district in Old Town Wichita benefits a concentrated area but spreads costs across everyone while creating potential for abuse.
-
In Wichita, the streetside seating is illuminated very well
Wichita city leaders tell us that the budget and spending have been cut to the bone. Except for the waste, that is.
-
Contrary to officials, Wichita has many incentive programs
Wichita government leaders complain that Wichita can’t compete in economic development with other cities and states because the budget for incentives is too small. But when making this argument, these officials don’t include all incentives that are available.
-
Wichitans willing to fund basics
Wichita voters are willing to pay a higher sales tax for fundamentals like infrastructure and water supply, and less willing for business incentives, downtown development, and convention centers.
-
Wichita property tax rate, the history
The City of Wichita is fond of saying that it hasn’t raised its mill levy in many years. But the mill levy has increased in recent years, and the use of the tax revenue has shifted.
-
Few Wichitans support taxation for economic development subsidies
In Wichita, about one-third of voters polled support local governments using taxpayer money to provide subsidies to certain businesses for economic development.
-
Wichita’s benchmark not applicable to overlapping jurisdictions, it seems
The City of Wichita insists on a certain level of return on investment for its economic development incentives, but doesn’t apply that criteria to overlapping jurisdictions.
-
In Wichita, opinion of city spending consistent across party and ideology
Wichitans across the board believe that Wichita city spending has not been efficient.
-
In Wichita, the rooftops are well-lit
On a sunny Friday afternoon in May 2014, the City of Wichita spends to illuminate the rooftop of a parking garage it owns.
-
Poll: Wichitans don’t want sales tax increase
A scientific poll commissioned by Kansas Policy Institute finds that Wichitans are opposed to business incentives, want to pursue privatization over tax increases, and have concerns about how city hall has recently spent money.