Hutchinson voters approved a 10-year, 0.75% city sales tax increase on Tuesday by an unofficial final vote of 2,316 to 2,116, pending provisional ballots and advance ballots that were turned in at polling places. The tax will raise the total sales tax in Hutchinson to 9% for non-food purchases, divided between the State of Kansas (6.5%), Reno County (1%), and the City of Hutchinson (1.5%), effective Oct. 1, 2026. The state’s portion of sales tax is not charged on qualifying food purchases. The sales tax is to pay for stormwater system modifications, maintenance and repairs of parks and streets, capital improvements and city operations, according to the question on the ballot. That includes elimination of the city’s stormwater utility fee. The stormwater utility fee is $4.75 per month for residential properties and varies based on hard-surface area of commercial properties.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune