City manager frames July 14 budget presentation; parental leave to be included for council review

City Manager Dennis told the Wichita City Council that the meeting on July 14 will focus on his recommended budget and will include a request to set a maximum millage rate as part of the statutorily required public-hearing process. Dennis said the maximum can be reduced later in the process, but council must set a maximum for public notice.

A council member asked for clarity on what percentage changes mean in dollar terms for constituents; Dennis agreed to supply dollar equivalents to make the millage discussion more accessible. There was some numeric confusion during the briefing about the current maximum (speakers referenced several figures without a clear resolution); staff said they would follow up with precise numbers.

On parental leave, a council member asked whether an exploration of parental-leave policy would resume now that HR leadership has changed. Dennis said the primary constraint is the budget process; parental-leave options and how they intersect with existing labor agreements will be highlighted in the July budget presentation so council can consider implementation and cost implications.

Next steps: staff will present the recommended budget and millage figures on July 14 and will include parental-leave options and estimated fiscal impacts; no final policy decisions were made during the briefing.