Sedgwick County Commissioners have narrowly defeated a proposed resolution dealing with the use of sales tax revenue for quality-of-life services and programs.
Commissioner Jim Howell proposed the resolution, which would specify that quality of life spending would not exceed the sales tax revenue that is intended for property tax relief. The resolution refers to a one percent sales tax that voters approved in 1985. Half of the revenue from the sales tax is to be used for roads and bridges and the other half can be used for property tax relief. The funding for property tax relief amounted to around $19 million last year.
Howell said the resolution would provide a “guardrail” for the commission in spending decisions, and Commission Chairman Ryan Baty said it’s a strategy to ensure that the core services of government will be funded by property taxes, not sales tax revenues. Commissioner David Dennis argued that the resolution would “handcuff” future commissions in budget decisions. Commissioner Pete Meitzner said the resolution is confusing and contradictory, and he wants more information before giving his approval.
The resolution was defeated by a vote of 2-3, with Howell and Baty voting yes and Commissioners Dennis, Meitzner and Sarah Lopez voting no. Howell said he would continue to bring the resolution up in the future.
