Tag: Wichita city government
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The ‘tax expenditure’ solution for our national debt
While most critics of government spending focus on entitlements, regular appropriations, and earmarks, there is a category of spending that not many pay much attention to. The spending is called “tax expenditures.” In Kansas some have been calling them “tax appropriations.” It’s a big issue. As economist Martin Feldstein writes in the Wall Street Journal,…
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Community Improvement Districts discussed in Wichita
At yesterday’s meeting of the Wichita City Council, council members approved the start of the process to create two Community Improvement Districts in Wichita. Yesterday’s action sets August 10 as the date for a public hearing.
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Wichita community improvement districts should have warning signs
At today’s meeting of the Wichita City Council, council members may approve the start of the process to create two Community Improvement Districts in Wichita. CIDs are a creation of the Kansas Legislature from last year. They allow merchants in a geographic district to collect additional sales tax of up to two cents per dollar.…
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Wichita downtown boom could be over before it starts
As Wichita moves towards the release of the plan for the revitalization of its downtown, urban planners — both local and out-of-town — tell us that there’s a big demand for downtown living. People are tired of suburban living, they say. The recent draft presentation by the city’s planning firm Goody Clancy contained bullet points…
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Wichita downtown master plan meetings scheduled
Recently planning firm Goody Clancy presented the master plan for the revitalization of downtown Wichita. This plan is in “draft” form, meaning that input is being solicited, with revisions appearing in the final version expected to be ready in September.
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Wichita should follow Lawrence’s lead in tax warnings
Is there a point where sales taxes become so high that consumers need to be warned? Sales tax is already high in the northeast Kansas college town of Lawrence, home to the University of Kansas Jayhawks. After July 1, the combined sales tax rate — state, county, and city — will be 8.85 percent.
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Goody Clancy: public subsidy required for Wichita downtown plan
The recent presentation of the draft master plan for the revitalization of downtown Wichita gave Wichitans a preview of the forms of public assistance that Goody Clancy recommends the city use. The plan may be viewed at the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation website.
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Letters on Wichita Bowllagio
Letters recently appeared in the Wichita Eagle regarding the proposed Bowllagio project, a west side entertainment destination. Bowllagio is planned to have a bowling and entertainment center, a boutique hotel, and a restaurant owned by a celebrity television chef.
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Wichita economic development official to speak
This Friday (June 18) Vicki Pratt Gerbino, president of the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition, will address members and guests of the Wichita Pachyderm Club.
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Wichita open records intent not what it seems
At Tuesday’s meeting Wichita City Council, the city may take action that appears to advance the goal of making more information about government available to citizens. The proposed action, however, simply acknowledges intent to comply with one provision of the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA). The city still avoids full compliance with this law.
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Downtown Wichita planning events scheduled
Last October the City of Wichita selected the Boston firm Goody Clancy to develop a plan for the revitalization of downtown Wichita. Now the draft master plan is ready, and will be presented to Wichitans on Monday June 14.
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Wichita Bowllagio hearing produces only delay
Yesterday’s meeting of the Wichita City Council featured a lengthy public hearing for a proposed west-side entertainment development known as Bowllagio. Bowllagio is planned to have a bowling and entertainment center, a boutique hotel, and a restaurant owned by a celebrity television chef.