Commissioner Jim Howell is proposing another property tax increase for maintenance costs at Intrust Bank Arena despite having more than enough budget surplus to cover the costs.
The reserve fund that paid for a new scoreboard, ribbon displays and general maintenance at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita is running out of money. A 30-month sales tax that funded construction of the 16-year-old arena collected more money than was needed and the excess has funded maintenance items ever since. But now, county officials are considering an infusion of $2 million to fill coffers for the next two years. The arena is set to host first-round games of the NCAA Basketball Tournament in 2027 and 2028.
Additionally, looming over the arena is an estimated $27 million in maintenance expense over the next 20 years, according to the facility staff.
Commissioner Jim Howell told KWCH TV taxpayers are going to be asked to make up the difference:
“The easy answer, which I hate actually, the easy answer is property taxes. We have the authority right now between the commissioners to raise the tax dollars needed to take care of this facility. The more complicated, perhaps, answer- maybe some people would like this better- would be a sales tax rather than a property tax. I would rather see a small sales tax replace some of our property taxes we replace today. I would rather see us at least have the conversation.”
Using either property or sales taxes for arena expenses may be controversial given the county, from its own budget projections, will have more than $120 million in General Fund surplus funds by 2030. Dave Trabert, CEO of Kansas Policy Institute, believes Sedgwick County does not need to raise property taxes to fund maintenance at Intrust Arena:
“Sedgwick County had a $100 million surplus in 2023. Their projection that the surplus will exceed $120 million by 2030 means the County will have taken in at least $20 million more than it plans to spend. In other words, county commissioners are already over-taxing citizens.
“The black dots on each bar of the graph reflect what the County believes should be the minimum fund balance, so by their own admittance, they already have sufficient excess surplus funds that could cover all the maintenance.
“Sedgwick County calling for another unnecessary property tax increase is further evidence that the State Legislature must impose assessment and levy limits to protect taxpayers from being taxed out of their homes by local officials’ spending decisions.”
Kansas Policy Institute owns The Sentinel.
Residents push back against more property tax increase for Intrust Bank Arena
Commissioner Howell added he’s seeking advice from constituents on the path forward:
“I think the people need to help us answer the question. What’s their plan? I’m their representative. What would they like to see us do? We need to hear from the people.”
Given the commissioner’s invitation, social media was quick to offer opinions: Some selections from Facebook:
It would be one thing if it was a community resource. This is just entertainment. It’s on entertainment to be entertaining and deal with its funds.
The funds for the upkeep of the building should be coming from the profits events bring in. Setting aside a percentage of each event to be placed in the maintenance account just like homeowners do.
Build your reserve with a percentage of ticket sales ( being) set aside to maintain a constant income stream for upgrades and maintenance.
Here’s a thought…Instead of using Ticket Master and letting them collect all those fees, sell your own tickets and use the outrageous fees to fund the money they need!
Create a “swear jar”. Any time someone mentions a new tax, make them put $1,000 in it.
Sedgwick County will hold a public meeting to discuss next year’s budget, including future funding of Intrust Bank Arena maintenance, on July 29th.
