Wichita City Council

Residents on Tuesday urged City Council members to protect Wichita’s “quality of life” in next year’s budget.

Council members listened to more than an hour of public comments over the proposed 2019 budget — most of it centered on making sure the city’s cultural programming is funded in the future.

Two Wichita branch libraries that had been set to close in the coming years are safe for now.

Mayor Jeff Longwell announced Thursday that, in a reversal from an earlier budget recommendation presented to the City Council, Linwood and Evergreen branch libraries will be fully funded, as will CityArts. The city had been considering partnering with a third-party organization to operate the downtown art gallery and studio space.

"We don't intend to shut down those quality-of-life opportunities in the 2019 budget season," he said.

Two Wichita public libraries could close under the city's new proposed budget.

The city is considering closing the Linwood Library in south Wichita next year and is looking at either closing or restructuring the Evergreen Library in north Wichita in 2020.

Nearly a year after deciding to spend $4 million for a new pool in District 1, Wichita city leaders are still unsure where to build it.

The City Council voted Tuesday to postpone the issue indefinitely until more information -- particularly about how to pay for the pool -- is presented.

Wichita City Council members on Tuesday approved a firm to design the water playgrounds that will replace several of the city’s pools.

City Council members on Tuesday approved a new design for Naftzger Park in downtown Wichita.

Outdoor community events related to next month’s NCAA basketball tournament in Wichita won’t have to shut down before midnight.