Wichita City Council establishes 2025 city budget, hearings

At Tuesday's Wichita City Council meeting, City Manager Robert Layton presented the proposed 2025 budget.

Layton says the $763 million budget will prioritize crime prevention, pavement maintenance, economic development and housing insecurity.

The budget is balanced in 2025, however the city projects a $3.6 million deficit by 2026, increasing to $10.2 million by 2028. Council member Brandon Johnson suggested an increase in the mill levy by 1-2 mills to help with the projected shortfall. Council member J.V. Johnston, disagreed, saying property taxes have risen significantly in the last two years as it is.

A sales tax increase could also be a possibility, however Layton and Council member Becky Tuttle voiced concerns with that tax funding non-capital improvement items.

The council voted 5-2 to establish the 2025 annual operating budget and 2025-2034 Capital Improvement Program and exceed the revenue neutral rate. Mayor Lily Wu and Council member Dalton Glasscock voted no.

Wichitans will have 3 additional public hearings to voice their feelings on the budget next month, with the final hearing and budget adoption slated for August 20th.