Dale Goter argues that Wichita City Hall’s quiet settlement over the Ice Center fiasco exposes years of mismanagement and undermines trust as leaders seek voter approval for an $810 million sales tax.
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Key Takeaways:
The city settled for far less than it initially sought.
Contract flaws and delayed enforcement cost taxpayers money.
Leaders seek major new funding despite unresolved past failures.
Article Summary:
Dale Goter contends that Wichita city leaders have demonstrated chronic incompetence by settling the Genesis-Steven Ice Center dispute for $200,000 instead of pursuing up to $2.6 million in unpaid obligations and damages. The city terminated Genesis Health Clubs’ 10-year management contract in 2022 after years of missed payments, yet waited too long to act, limiting legal recovery to only the final three years. Goter criticizes the original 2012 contract for allowing this loophole and faults successive councils for ignoring nonpayment while taxpayers covered bond payments tied to a $750,000 loan. He highlights the plan to approve the settlement via the consent agenda, avoiding public discussion, and contrasts this behavior with City Hall’s push for voter support of a proposed 1 percent sales tax funding an $810 million slate of projects. Goter concludes that without public accountability and apology, voters should reject new spending requests.
Goter, Dale. “City Hall Surrender in Genesis-Steven Ice Center Debacle Casts Doubt on Competence | Opinion.” Wichita Eagle, 5 Jan. 2026, www.kansas.com/opinion/guest-commentary/article314188345.html
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