By Randy Partington
County Connections
Reno County will be inviting voters to take part in a countywide sales tax survey. The survey will reach a broad cross-section of residents to ensure a representative sample and is being mailed from Wichita State University to a select number of registered voters.
In the coming weeks, a survey can also be accessed via QR code or a link on our website at https://www.renocountyks.gov/Sales-Tax for those who did not get the mailing but are willing to contribute to our survey collections. More information about the online survey will be shared via the county’s social media pages.
Before making any major tax decisions, Reno County is taking a practical step, asking its residents what they think. This survey is to gauge public interest in a potential sales tax measure, inviting input from those who would be most affected: the people who live, work, and shop here.
Our approach reflects a simple but important principle, that community decisions should begin with community voices. This is why it is important for as many residents and voters of Reno County to take part in the survey, so the county commission can make an informed decision about the use of sales tax revenues.
The purpose of our sales tax discussion is a question that is faced by almost every local government: how do we pay for the services, facilities, and infrastructure that keep our county running smoothly?
Property taxes and sales taxes are two main tools available, but they affect people in very different ways.
Property taxes rise with property values, even when a homeowner’s income does not, often creating challenges for families on fixed incomes. Sales taxes, by contrast, spread the cost of local services among everyone who spends money in the county, residents and visitors alike.
A small sales tax helps ensure that the cost of maintaining roads, emergency services, and other essential services used by everyone in Reno County, both residents and visitors, is shared more fairly, rather than being paid only by property owners. In other words, it broadens the tax base and allows the county to collect revenue from visitors who contribute to the use of local infrastructure when they shop, dine, or travel through the area.
Sales taxes do have their critics. They can impact lower-income households more noticeably as a higher percentage of their income goes to daily purchases.
But many communities have found that sales taxes, especially those dedicated to clear, time-limited projects, can be both fair and effective. When tied to specific goals, such as improving emergency services, maintaining facilities, or enhancing quality of life, they give voters a direct say in where their money goes.
Sales taxes that benefit Reno County and all our cities are not just the tax paid in person at a local store, but also include the compensating use tax. This segment of the sales tax is what is paid on products that may come from out of state, such as online or mail order purchases, showing that even residents shopping through Amazon or ordering delivery products from stores in Wichita or Kansas City, are benefiting all our cities and the county through the payment of this compensating use tax.
The sales tax rate is the same whether purchases are made locally or through online retailers. The total tax collected is divided between the State of Kansas, the applicable city, and Reno County.
The county’s survey is not meant for a decision, but instead it is an invitation to shape the path forward. Whether you prefer property taxes, sales taxes, or a mix of both, now is the time to share your perspective. The more residents who participate, the clearer the county’s picture will be of what the community values most. In that sense, this survey is not just about taxes; it is about trust, transparency, and teamwork in building Reno County’s future.
No timeline has been set for a possible county sales tax. The commission must first decide whether to pursue a proposal and determine what the tax would fund, guided by community input from this survey. Once a proposal is developed, it would require approval from the State of Kansas before being placed on the ballot. This process ensures that any decision on sales tax begins and ends with the citizens of Reno County.
Randy Partington is the Reno County Administrator. He can be reached at randy.partington@renocountyks.gov.