During the meeting, August 2 to 6 was declared National Health Center Week, recognizing three Wichita community health centers: Health Core, Grace Med, and Hunter Health Center. August was also declared Black Business Month, with The Blackprint and ICT highlighted as representing Black businesses in Wichita, and a video was shown honoring Dr. Sheree Utash, President of WSU Tech, as a Junior Achievement of Kansas Business Hall of Fame honoree.
On the budget, the city submitted a total 2027 request of $825 million, a $14 million increase aligned with the city’s strategic plan. The proposal would maintain the mill levy from last year and be balanced by taking $3 million from the “rainy day fund.” Council members discussed how funding would be allocated, including public safety, maintenance, staffing costs, and items related to homelessness, while planning for five total public hearings, with the next one scheduled for August 18.
The Kansas Leadership Center’s KLC Journal included the meeting notes and key approvals, including items related to industrial revenue bonds for Wesley Medical Center and an airport use and lease agreement with Textron Aviation.