Wichita.gov would become ‘official city newspaper’ under council proposal

City Hall’s own website, Wichita.gov would be recognized as the “official city newspaper” under a proposed charter ordinance the City Council will vote on Tuesday. Doing so would allow the city to terminate its contract for publishing copies of new ordinances and notices of other official actions in The Eagle, including notices about imposing taxes, creating benefit districts and amending the zoning code. The publication of legal notices in a designated newspaper is required by state law. In supporting documents, the city cites a July 2023 nonbinding legal opinion by Attorney General Kris Kobach declaring that second-class cities — those with between 2,000 and 15,000 residents — can circumvent the third-party publication requirement. City staff asserts that the same should hold true for any city that invokes home rule on the issue. (…) Update, April 2: The City Council delayed a vote on the proposed charter ordinance until June 4 to allow district advisory boards to review the proposal. The June 4 meeting will be held at 6 p.m. inside the council chambers at City Hall.
Source: Wichita Eagle