Sedgwick County commissioner wants county-wide sales tax to tackle property tax relief

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Leaders from 15 Sedgwick County communities met in Wichita to tackle property tax relief.

Wednesday’s meeting was only an informational meeting for leaders. No decision or action was taken. The idea is to create an eighth, quarter, or half-cent county sales tax to decrease property taxes.

Community leaders want relief for property owners without cutting funding for public programs like the zoo and the arts.

Sedgwick County Commissioner Ryan Baty believes a county-wide sales tax is the answer.

“We could see an $8, $10, $12 million property tax reduction if we use a quarter-cent or half-cent sales tax,” said Baty.

Baty is only on board if revenue from the added sales tax goes directly toward cutting property taxes.

He believes most leaders at the meeting are on the same page.

“The mood in the room, if we can do it together, let’s give it a shot. I think everyone, all the cities, including the country, are experiencing the same challenges. The cost of government is increasing,” said Baty.

That looks different for every city in the country.

Ashley Velazquez, Kechi’s mayor, said they use their sales tax to fund a city project. She wants community feedback before making a change.

“Figure out language and how that would affect residents before we truly decide if substituting a mill levy is really beneficial for our residents,” said Velazquez.

Wichita resident Chris Pumpelly is opposed to raising the sales tax but said it could be the right move.

“Raising taxes is a bitter pill, but investing in ourselves is a long-term strategy that our kids and grandkids are going to thank us for,” said Pumpelly.

Commissioner Baty plans to get public input, but dates and times for that are not yet decided.

Any change would have to go up for a public vote before being implemented.

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