Wichita city budget to be presented Tuesday

Posted July 14, 2024

Wichita City Manager Robert Layton will present his recommended budget for next year at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

The 2025-26 proposed budget and the 2025-2034 Capital Improvement Program can be seen on the city’s web site at wichita.gov The operating budget for 2025-26 totals over $742 million and the ten-year CIP totals $3.1 billion.

The city listed several highlights of the operating budget:

The 2025-2026 Budget is based on resident feedback. Community survey results, roundtable discussions with Civic Engagement Academy graduates, monthly City Council workshops, District Advisory Boards engagement, and the online budget simulator have been opportunities for residents to learn about the budget and provide feedback. The Budget Simulator is available on-line until August 8 at https://wichita.budgetsimulator.com.
Services that residents rated as priorities in the community survey are priorities in the 2025-2026 Budget. Crime prevention, police services, street maintenance, water and sewer services, and economic development are high-priority services that are prioritized in this budget.
Crime Prevention efforts are ongoing throughout departments. The 2025-2026 Budget includes crime prevention strategies throughout the organization. These efforts have been inventoried and aligned to evidenced-based best practices to improve community outcomes.
Community challenges such as affordable housing, homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse are included. Funding is budgeted in Housing & Community Services for operation of the planned Multi-Agency Center (MAC) as well as an innovative approach to meeting gaps in affordable housing. Programs in Municipal Court connect residents with services to reintegrate offenders in the community. Funding to address addiction in partnership with the Mental Health & Substance Abuse Coalition is also included.

The CIP is proposing a number of projects over the next decade:

The Proposed CIP focuses on maintenance projects, consistent with the Community Investments Plan. Over one half of the CIP is allocated to maintenance projects. This is consistent with the City’s goal of building and maintaining dependable infrastructure, and it extends the life of existing assets.

Projects are aligned to priority areas outlined in the Community Investments Plan. The CIP includes over 80% of funding aligned to “very high” priority areas identified in the Community Investments Plan. Projects are consistent with strategies based on the City’s mission and goals: keeping Wichita safe; providing conditions for living well; growing the economy; and building and maintaining dependable infrastructure.
The 2025 Proposed Budget reflects a shift of 0.7 mills from the General Fund to the Debt Service Fund for one year. The City’s total mill levy rate has not been increased in 31 years, but the portion allocated between the General Fund and Debt Service Fund has changed periodically. This one year shift will enhance financial sustainability in the Debt Service Fund and reduce future debt levels.
Street pavement maintenance efforts are emphasized, with a total of $149 million included in the CIP. Total annual funding will rise from $13 million in 2025 to $16.5 million by 2034. This is consistent with community priorities. An additional $39 million is allocated for the paving of dirt streets, focused on dirt streets near schools, then shift to paving dirt streets in lower income areas of the city.
A new allocation of $20 million is allocated to the maintenance of concrete residential streets. This new allocation will address a priority identified in community surveys and engagement.
To support public safety strategies, over $164 million is included. The CIP supports emergency response strategies by including funding for fire trucks and related equipment, new fire stations, new police stations, and other public safety equipment.

Public hearings will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 8 and at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 13 at City Hall. The final public hearing and adoption of the budget and the CIP will take place during the City Council Meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20 at City Hall.