Voters have upcoming opportunities to attend forums discussing sales tax issue

Before Wichitans vote on a 1-cent-on-the-dollar sales tax in November, several groups have organized forums discussing the tax and the pros and cons presented by groups on each side.

The tax would collect nearly $400 million over five years. It would go toward a new water supply ($250 million), street maintenance and repair ($27.8 million), transit ($39.8 million) and job development ($80 million).

The city of Wichita has never had a sales tax before. There is currently a 6.15 percent state sales tax and a 1 percent Sedgwick County sales tax in Wichita.

If you have information on other upcoming forums, please e-mail reporter Kelsey Ryan at kryan@wichitaeagle.com.

Tuesday

▪ 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wichita Boathouse, 515 S. Wichita

The Wichita Independent Business Association is hosting a luncheon on the sales tax. City Manager Robert Layton will present information on the plan. Jon Rolph and Moji Fanimokun with Yes Wichita (for the sales tax) and Jennifer Baysinger with the Coalition for a Better Wichita (against the sales tax) will also speak.

Reservations are required by Friday. The cost of the luncheon is $20. For reservations, call the WIBA office at 316-201-3264 or e-mail membership@wiba.org.

▪ 6 p.m. at the Wichita Water Center, 101 E. Pawnee

The forum is hosted by the South Wichita Business Association. Those who will attend include City Manager Robert Layton, City Council member James Clendenin, City Council member Jeff Blubaugh, Jennifer Baysinger with a Coalition for a Better Wichita (against the sales tax) and Jon Rolph and Moji Fanimokun with Yes Wichita (for the sales tax).

Oct. 17

▪ 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Petroleum Club, the ninth floor of the Bank of America Building, 100 N. Broadway

The forum is hosted by the Pachyderm Club. Those attending include Jon Rolph with Yes Wichita (for the sales tax) and Jennifer Baysinger with the Coalition for a Better Wichita (against the sales tax). Lunch, which is required for those who attend, is $12.

Oct. 20

▪ 6:30 p.m. at Bingo Casino, 2331 E. Mt. Vernon

Mead Neighborhood Association is hosting the forum, which will include information from city officials, Jon Rolph with Yes Wichita (for the sales tax) and Jennifer Baysinger with the Coalition for a Better Wichita (against the sales tax).

This story was originally published October 9, 2014 at 6:45 AM with the headline "Voters have upcoming opportunities to attend forums discussing sales tax issue."