Sedgwick County Commission's Legislative Platform Protects Taxpayers

Yesterday the Sedgwick County Commissioners voted 3-2 on adding new language to its legislative platform that would require local sales tax and property tax increases to be approved by voters. Read a full account of the county commission meeting at Wichita Liberty.

In response, we have issued the following statement to Sedgwick County publications:

I was pleased to learn of the Sedgwick County Commission’s new legislative platform regarding property taxes. It reads, “All local sales tax increases must be approved by voters under Kansas law. All property tax increases that raise the mill levy should also be required to receive voter approval.”

This is a significant step for the Sedgwick County Commission, considering this goes against the position of the Kansas Association of Counties. The supporters of this measure, Commissioners Kelly Parks, Karl Peterjohn, and Gwen Welshimer, should be applauded for recognizing the importance of allowing the people to vote on property tax measures.

However the opponents, Commissioners Dave Unruh and Tim Norton, should be asked why they oppose allowing their constituents to vote on an issue as important as property taxes. If government has a compelling reason for increasing taxes, then shouldn’t it feel comfortable in taking its case to the people?

Derrick Sontag
Americans for Prosperity-Kansas
Topeka