How much would Wichita’s sales tax affect your wallet? We compared receipts for you
If Wichita voters approve a city-proposed 1% sales tax Tuesday, March 3, shoppers will have to spend a bit more when running their errands.
The Wichita City Council gave final approval in December to put the 1% tax proposal on the March special election ballot.
Under the proposal, the $850 million in revenue projected over the next seven years would be used for a number of projects, including revitalizing Century II, allowing for some property tax relief and making funds available for public safety improvements.
Early voting is already underway at the Sedgwick County Election Office, with more satellite voting locations opening later this week.
If approved by voters, the tax would apply to all retail purchases, including food items and groceries, while purchases under two major public assistance programs would be exempt. It would also be charged on top of Sedgwick County’s existing 1% sales tax.
The tax is conservatively estimated to cost the average Wichita family an additional $352 a year.
But what could it cost you? We took four receipts from various spots around Wichita to see what they look like now and what they may look like if the city implements a sales tax.
How much would Wichita’s sales tax affect my spending?
One Wichita Trader Joe’s receipt for 19 items — including sparkling raspberry water, sparkling tea, strawberry ice cream, organic coconut milk, recycled paper towels and more — came to a total of $53.51 without tax. With the existing state taxes, it came to $54.31.
Under Wichita’s proposed sales tax measure, the final bill would be 53 cents more, coming to $54.84.
One 3945 S. Meridian QuikTrip run for a chicken bacon ranch flatbread is $4.49 cents without tax, $4.83 under existing taxes.
With the proposed city sales tax added, the trip would cost 4 cents more, coming to a total of $4.87.
A trip to the 37th and Woodlawn Dillons for 20 items — including Chobani yogurt, paper towels, Catalina crunch cereal, Parmesan cheese, bacon wrapped filets and more — came to $52.09.
If Wichita’s sales tax is approved, the total would be 50 cents more, at $52.59.
A separate Dillons receipt at the same location for two items, Nestle bliss coffee creamer and a dozen grade A eggs, came to $8.56. It would be 7 cents more, $8.64, with the city sales tax applied.
What happens to the sales tax revenue?
Out of the $850 million in projected revenue, the city said it would spend $25 million for the Century II revitalization, $225 million for a convention center expansion and $75 million for a new partnership to build a $150 million performing arts center.
The city said they will also put $225 million to public safety capital improvement projects and another $150 million toward a nonprofit to run Second Light Shelter & Services and an affordable housing fund.
The plan is estimated to save homeowners $150 million in property taxes over the next seven years.
After some backlash, the Wichita City Council approved what it called guardrails during a February meeting, limiting the spending of the first $300 million generated by the sales tax, if it passes, to projects involving housing, property tax relief and public safety.
