The Wichita City Council is scheduled to formally adopt an $825.9 million budget for fiscal year 2027 at its Aug. 25 meeting, capping weeks of public hearings with a vote that will lock in property tax rates citywide.

The proposed budget holds the city's mill levy at 32.340, the same rate as 2026. For the owner of a $150,000 home, that means an estimated $558 per year in city property taxes. A $200,000 home would owe about $744.

But the flat rate masks growth: assessed valuations climbed 7.5%, pushing total property tax revenue up 7.7% to a maximum levy of $188.8 million, according to city budget documents.

The council will also vote on the 2027–2036 Capital Improvement Program, a $2.86 billion, 10-year spending plan that includes $571 million for streets, $629 million for water infrastructure and $274 million for sewer projects.

Amendments in play

Mayor Lily Wu and Vice Mayor Dalton Glasscock have both signaled they will push for spending cuts before the final vote.

Wu wrote on Facebook on Aug. 20 that she plans to propose reductions, pointing to a $3 million draw from the city's Stabilization Reserve that she called unsustainable.

@MayorLilyWu: "Every yes has a cost, and every budget decision is a trade-off. … I will always look for responsible ways to reduce spending before asking taxpayers for more."

Glasscock, who represents District IV, outlined specific amendments in a Facebook post on Aug. 21. His proposals include eliminating a new $300,000 employee tuition program, cutting $1 million from an unallocated administrative costs line, restoring a $400,000 process and administrative efficiency target and creating a $100,000 homeowner property-tax relief pilot that would offer $200 per qualifying owner-occupied household under Kansas Homestead eligibility. He said net savings would reduce the Stabilization Reserve draw rather than fund new spending.

TIF districts and downtown plan

Beyond the operating budget, the meeting agenda lists second readings of 11 tax increment financing district ordinances covering Center City South, Douglas & Hillside, East Bank, ICT21, Ken Mar, Riverside, Southfork, Union Station and West Bank redevelopment areas. First readings passed July 14.

The council will also take a second-reading vote on the Downtown Wichita Action Plan 2035, which would amend the Wichita-Sedgwick County Comprehensive Plan.

Two zone change requests round out the agenda: one to allow vehicle repair at 6801 East Kellogg St. and another to rezone an area near Topeka Avenue and Saint Francis Avenue to Central Business District.

What's next

City Manager Dennis Marstall presented the proposed budget July 14. Public hearings followed on Aug. 4 and Aug. 18. Tuesday's vote is the final step before the city files certification forms with the Sedgwick County Clerk by Oct. 1. Fiscal year 2027 begins Jan. 1.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 455 N. Main St.