With property values increasing over the past few years, Sedgwick County commissioners are talking about the idea of a one-cent sales tax increase that would be dedicated totally to property tax relief.

The idea is being proposed by Commissioner David Dennis, after a report from the County Appraiser’s office showing that residential property values are going up by an average of ten percent this year.   Dennis said it’s time for commissioners to look at other ways to fund government and provide services without relying so much on property taxes.

The county already has a one-cent sales tax for street and bridge improvements, so permission from the Kansas Legislature would be needed to take a one cent increase to a vote of the people.   Dennis believes the public would support the increase if 100 percent of it would be used to reduce property taxes across the board.  He said the sales tax would be paid by visitors who come to Wichita and Sedgwick County for events and attractions, so the funds to reduce property taxes would not just come from county residents.

Commissioner Jim Howell said he has looked for ways to cut spending in county government, and he’s “hitting some brick walls.”  He said a vast majority of property tax revenue goes to fund public safety, infrastructure and other vital needs that people don’t want to cut and he agrees with that.   Howell said he’s committed to property tax relief “but we’ve got to get something to help us out to get there.”