The City of Wichita could consider a tax increase to fund new positions in the Wichita Police Department.
A staffing study out earlier this year recommended a total of 73 new positions for the police force, including patrol officers and support staff.
Discussing the city’s 2018-2019 budget, City Manager Robert Layton said that because of a $3 million loan repayment from the sale of the Warren Theatre in west Wichita, the cost of those positions is covered in 2018. “However, in 2019, we have to do something to pay for those positions," Layton said.
He is recommending a property tax increase starting in 2019. It would mean that for a house valued at $150 thousand dollars -- the average in Wichita, Layton said -- the 1 mill increase would amount to about $17.25 more in taxes per year.
City Council members are still about a month away from adopting the budget. Layton will formally present it to the council on July 18.
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