Wichita staff schedule Topeka testimony and flag state legislative moves on taxes, elections

City staff updated council members on state legislative activity in Topeka and the city’s participation. Staff advised that the House Tax Committee scheduled a hearing on the sales‑tax/food‑tax bill at 3:30 p.m. next Wednesday and that the city will provide testimony. Staff said written testimony must be submitted by 3:30 p.m. the Monday before the hearing, and asked which council members or staff planned to attend or submit comments.

Staff also said the Senate tax committee moved a proposed constitutional amendment intended to cap property-tax increases and set a 2022 valuation point out of committee, and that the House elections committee advanced a bill to move local government elections to even-numbered years and scheduled a hearing on permitting party affiliation to appear on local ballots.

On an unrelated state agenda item, staff reported that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) attached a high cost estimate to a water reuse program; city staff described the KDHE estimate as "unreasonable" and said the bill appeared likely to advance despite the cost concerns.

The council responded with interest in attending the Topeka hearings and offering testimony in person. Staff said multiple options exist for participation, including written comments that would be entered into the public record.