HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It will seem earlier than in the past, but it is time for Hutchinson city residents to vote on an extension of the 1/4 cent sales tax again. The tax, which was last approved by voters in 2017, will sunset again in 2023. This will be the fifth time the tax has come before the voters since it was first approved by the public in 1994.
The tax is used to fund both the Cosmosphere and Strataca, sidewalk improvements and property tax relief.
The vote is coming earlier than the previous elections due to the state moving municipal elections from April to November. The city decided to move the vote back six months to give the city time to look over the budget if the sales tax should be voted down. Moving it forward to 2023 would leave the city far less time to make up revenue that would be lost.
Currently, Hutchinson is tied for sixth in lowest sales tax for the 28 largest cities in Kansas at 8.6%, although some special taxing districts do exist in the city.
The matter goes before the Hutchinson City Council during Tuesday's meeting.
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