Wichita, KS
Municipality in Kansas
United States
Wichita, KS Landlord Incentive Program encourages rentals to federal housing voucher recipients
This Wichita Housing Authority (WHA) program addresses landlord reluctance when dealing with Section 8 recipients. A one-time $1,000 bonus for new landlords and $250 per qualifying tenant provide upfront incentives for participation. The Landlord Incentive Program covers up to $3,500 in damages and deductibles during a tenant's first year. Participating landlords also receive lost rental payments following eviction or abandonment if they rent to another Section 8 recipient.
Wichita, KS
United States
Wichita, KS promotes procurement opportunities for small businesses with Work With Wichita portal
Wichita partnered with Qwally on an easy-to-use procurement website for local businesses. Work With Wichita includes guides on starting new enterprises, registering as city vendors, and invoicing for contracted work. There is a database of past and current bid opportunities available to portal users. This website also promotes the Emerging Business Enterprise certification, which guarantees faster payments and improved Request for Proposal scoring for recipients.
Wichita, KS
United States
Wichita, KS Lawn Care Equipment Rebate pilot incentivizes switch to low-emission mowers
The city's Public Works & Utilities team estimates that up to 36% of local emissions come from nonroad vehicles like lawnmowers. The program offers $50 rebates to local residents who replace their gas-powered mowers with electric equipment. Rebate redemptions and impacts on air quality will determine if the pilot is extended beyond 2022. City council members approved the pilot as part of a $10,000 air quality campaign funded by a state grant.
Wichita, KS
United States
Wichita, KS PROPEL Small Business Loan Fund opens resources to small businesses and sole proprietors
PROPEL issues loans up to $20,000 to businesses with demonstrated revenue that may not qualify for traditional bank loans. Requirements for a PROPEL loan include at least two years of operations, one year of sales, and operations in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. Each loan has a three-year repayment period and a 3% interest rate. The program focuses on businesses that are owned by women or people of color often overlooked for financing.
Wichita, KS
United States
Wichita, KS is merging parks and cultural arts departments with Sedgwick County
The City of Wichita and Sedgwick County are merging their parks and cultural arts departments in order to facilitate public-private partnerships, maximize efficiency, and reduce bureaucracy. The merger will create a new Department of Cultural Arts and Recreation that would be jointly supervised by the county and city managers. The department will be advised by a Leadership Council and divided into four divisions: Parks, Recreation, Operations, and Cultural Arts.
Wichita, KS
United States
Sedgwick County, KS
United States
Wichita, KS plans to develop a Sustainability Advisory Board in response to pressure from activists
The City of Wichita is planning to develop a Sustainability Advisory Board in response to pressure from a large grassroots movement demanding that the city take action on climate change. Activists want the board to be a diverse, citizen-led group that will act quickly to develop a long-term sustainability plan. Over the next two months, city staff will draw up plans for what the board will look like and what its goals are before it is presented to the City Council for approval.
Wichita, KS
United States
Wichita, KS enacted a new ethics policy focused on campaign finance reform by setting gift limits
The Wichita City Council enacted a new ethics policy focused on campaign finance reform by setting gift limits for elected and appointed city officials for the first time in the city's history. Any gifts over $50 must be reported annually and city officials cannot receive more than $150 a year in gifts from a specific donor. The city created an Ethics Advisory Board to investigate ethics complaints, require ethics training for minor offenses, and issue fines up to $1,000 for serious violations.
Wichita, KS
United States