NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council finished the process on Tuesday to do what the people voted for in November and continue the 1/4 cent sales tax again through 2029.
"It has been pledged and continues to be pledged 47% to street improvements, 15% to property tax reduction, 33% to the Cosmosphere and 5% to STRATACA," said City Attorney Paul Brown.
This tax originally was passed in 1994, and it was a significant source of revenue in 2022.
"Cosmosphere, it was $860,000, to STRATACA, it was $130,000, for reduction of property tax, $391,000, for the city's infrastructure, which is primarily roads, it is $1.225 million."
Brown rounded those numbers for the council's benefit. Also this is presented to the public well in advance, by design, according to Brown.
"We present it to the public as a vote," Brown said. "We have been consistent in how we propose it to them, so that there are no changes and we have voter confidence....We have submitted it as a five year tax, because if a sales tax question were not to pass, then there'd be some substantial shifting and preparing that would need to be done, both on the city's part and on others."
Because of public support, Cosmosphere is able to allow any Reno County resident into the Hall of Space for free.
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