The City Manager’s proposed budget, unveiled at a news briefing today, highlights public safety, infrastructure maintenance, economic development and quality of life initiatives.

"The proposed budget was prepared with a commitment to meeting the priorities of citizens," said City Manager Chris Cherches. "The budget also seeks to balance the need for community services with the equally important need to maintain a fair and equitable tax structure."

Citizens are encouraged to get involved in the budget process. They can view the budget at the City’s website at www.wichita.gov, and then express their comments and concerns to the City Council at each council meeting through August 15. The official public hearing on the budget will be held on August 15, the day the council is expected to take action on the $310 m/year budget.

"Wichita is already a great community," said Cherches. "And Wichita continues to move forward. The proposed budget is a critical part of that progress."

The average value of a home in Wichita is $78,000. City property taxes for the owner of that home will amount to $280 a year, or less than $24 a month. A family of four will spend that much (or more) per month on cable television, telephone service, internet service or one family trip to the movies (without popcorn!!).

Budget at a Glance

• The total 2001 Proposed Budget (all funds) is $309,960,840, a 7% decrease from the 2000 Revised Budget of $331,719,399. The 2002 Projected Budget totals $309,508,640.

• General Fund expenditures of $148,833,030 are proposed in 2001, a 3% increase over the 2000 Revised Budget.

• The 2001 Proposed Budget does not include a mill levy increase.

• The 120 commissioned positions and 16 support positions added with the Public Safety Initiative are fully sustained in 2001 without grant funding.

• Continued development of E-government is supported, including on-line vendor registration, bid submission, invoice submission, and invoice payment.

• To continue enhanced street maintenance, an additional $1.2 million is included annually. Also, a $1.2 million supplement is provided for "catch-up" building maintenance.

• Street maintenance will be bolstered with an additional maintenance crew.

• Maintenance of public landscaping will be improved with the addition of a park maintenance crew in 2001.

• The budget continues to provide for the extended library hours and funds a bookmobile in 2001 to reach under served residents.

• To ensure that fleet services are provided and utilized in the most economical manner, a comprehensive fleet study is underway.

• Anticipating the need for multiple fire station moves to sustain efficient response to calls, $6 million has been allocated to relocate fire stations, in addition to 10 new firefighters in 2002.

• Both a water rate and sewer rate increase of 5% will be required in 2001 to fund capital needs of the utilities. An increase of 5¢ per ERU is included to address specific storm water "hot spots".

• A new public safety information system is included to facilitate record sharing and desktop retrieval of police and court records. The system utilizes bar coding, imaging, and scanning technology.