How rising property taxes affect Sedgwick County residents

These curated stories examines how rising property taxes influence Sedgwick County communities and their decisions.

Some stories discussed potential changes, like a proposed $450 million Wichita school bond that would have rebuilt seven schools and close others, with questions about its impact on local tax bills.

Officials debate options such as a city sales tax or a one-mill hike to address city budget deficits, estimating the cost for homeowners. County-wide, homeowners receive notices about higher valuations, with most facing increases and the deadline for appeals approaching.

Read the stories below.

Photo collage of the seven schools that would have been rebuilt under the Wichita school district’s proposed $450 million bond issue. The election was Feb. 25. By Jaime Green and Travis Heying

NO. 1: ‘ALL THE THINGS THAT OBSTRUCT LEARNING’: INSIDE SCHOOLS WICHITA BOND ISSUE WOULD REBUILD

Voters within the Wichita school district will decide the issue on Feb. 25. | Published February 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kylie Cameron Lindsay Smith

NO. 2: GOTTEN YOUR PROPERTY TAX NOTICES YET? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

Nearly 9 out of 10 homeowners in Sedgwick County will see their values increase this year. Is yours? | Published March 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chance Swaim

Kansas lawmakers promised more property tax relief in 2025. By Jaime Green

NO. 3: SEDGWICK COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISALS SPARK SURGE IN APPEALS

About 87% of residential property owners and 73% of commercial property owners saw an increase in their property valuations for 2025. | Published April 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Margaret Britton-Mehlisch

NO. 4: PROPERTY TAX HIKE? NEW SALES TAX? WICHITA DISCUSSING OPTIONS AS DEFICIT LOOMS

Here’s how either option could affect you. | Published April 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kylie Cameron Chance Swaim

The Wichita district’s financial oversight committee rejected a proposal to recommend a new bond issue by March 2026. Committee members told Chief Financial Officer Addi Lowell, right, and Deputy Superintendent Gil Alvarez, center, that the district should rebuild trust in the community before trying for another bond. By Suzanne Perez

NO. 5: ADVISORY GROUP SAYS NO — AT LEAST FOR NOW — TO ANOTHER WICHITA SCHOOL BOND

Members of the district’s financial oversight committee said the state’s largest district has not made a clear case for why it needs a bond. | Published June 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Suzanne Perez

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists or members of the Wichita Journalism Collaborative.