WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) - The Wichita City Council approved the 2027 annual operating budget and the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) on Tuesday night.
The final budget of $825,869,222 passed 6–1, with Mayor Lily Wu voting no.
According to the proposal, police and fire make up 67% of general fund expenditures, including support for the Real Time Information Center and additional firefighters for the new station expected to open next year.
The remaining budget covers Public Works and Utilities, Parks & Recreation, Municipal Court, library services and other city departments.
The CIP represents a 10‑year plan for infrastructure improvements across Wichita, including maintenance, public safety, streets, bridges and water supply. Total CIP expenditures are $2,860,651,855.
The proposal also identifies funding for homeless solutions as a priority.
Council member Joseph Shepard said the coming year will require intentional work from the council to find efficiencies and strengthen accountability in order to balance the budget while reducing reliance on the stabilization reserve.
He said Vice Mayor Dalton Glasscock made a strong point, saying that the council has a year to work out the kinks because they have now passed a balanced budget with the help of the stabilization reserves.
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Shepard said he thinks the council owes it to the finance team for having the foresight to invest in that stabilization reserve for rainy days like the one they are experiencing.
Shepard says they're obviously going to invest in public safety, but also increasing the funding for everything from the Wichita Public Library to violence prevention, staff strategy allocation, and the Homestead Act.
He emphasized that the Homestead Act will be critical for those making under $20,000 a year, as well as for veterans in the community and individuals with disabilities.
You can find the proposed agenda report below:
2027 Annual Operating Budget and CIP ProposalDownload
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