WICHITA, Kansas – The Wichita Public Works Department is urging the city council to approve a small, 30‑cent per month increase to the storm‑water utility fee beginning in 2027. The additional revenue is earmarked for ditch‑maintenance work that has long been delayed due to staffing shortages.
Why the fee is needed
Current records show the city’s storm‑water program has a backlog of roughly 400 outstanding maintenance requests. Each year the department receives about 15 new requests, yet under the existing model it can only address five to seven of those jobs annually. “Let me remind you, we have a list of 400 and we only get to five to seven per year,” said Gary Janzen, Director of Public Works & Utilities. “Under the new model, it’s projected that in‑house staff could address over 60 requests per year, so you can see we can make a really big impact. But we still got a long ways to go, and with 30 cents we can really help ourselves.”
How the increase will work
The proposed surcharge would sit on top of a 15‑cent increase that the council approved earlier in 2026. Residents would see a total of a 45‑cent rise in their monthly storm‑water bill. The city estimates the extra revenue will fund additional labor and equipment needed to accelerate the clearing of the backlog.
Council consideration
The city council is scheduled to discuss and vote on the fee increase at its December meeting. Council members have expressed a shared interest in improving the city’s drainage infrastructure, especially after recent heavy rains highlighted the importance of well‑maintained ditches for flood prevention.
Impact on taxpayers
For most households, the 30‑cent increase translates to less than a dollar a month in additional costs. Supporters argue that the modest price tag is a prudent investment that will protect property values, reduce flood risk, and ultimately save taxpayers money by preventing more costly emergency repairs.
Community response
Local business owners and homeowners have voiced support for the measure, noting that reliable storm‑water management is essential for commerce and daily life. Some residents remain cautious, asking for transparent reporting on how the new funds are allocated. The Public Works Department has pledged to provide quarterly updates on progress toward clearing the maintenance backlog.
Looking ahead
If approved, the fee increase will take effect at the start of the 2027 fiscal year. The department plans to use the additional resources to hire more crew members, purchase needed equipment, and streamline work orders. City officials hope the enhanced capacity will reduce the backlog dramatically within the next few years, moving Wichita toward a more resilient and well‑maintained storm‑water system.
Original reporting: KWCH 12 (Gray) – local — read the source article.
