Sedgwick County Commissioners had a brief discussion at their regular meeting Wednesday on the impact of a proposed elimination of the food sales tax in Kansas.

Commissioner Jim Howell said he favors tax cuts, but he wants to know what the financial impact will be on the county’s budget.   The county’s Chief Financial Officer, Lindsay Poe-Rousseau, said legislative research has indicated that there would have been a $4 million loss to the county in 2020 and a $4.3 million loss for this year.

County Manager Tom Stolz said the Finance Department began looking at the numbers when Governor Laura Kelly announced her proposal this week.   Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who is running for governor next year, recently called on lawmakers to reduce or eliminate the tax during their 2022 session.

Commissioners are planning more discussions on the issue during their staff meeting next week.