Sedgwick County, which includes Wichita, is expected to face an $8 million budget deficit for fiscal 2005, which has county commissioners searching for ways to cut costs.
Finance director Chris Chronis told commissioners last week that property and sales tax collections continue to decline. Adding to the cash drain are large projects such as plans to spend $2.5 million to buy land for a local landfill, $1.5 million for economic development programs, and $95,000 for programs to reduce the number of inmates in jail. New major expenses next year include operation of a new juvenile detention center.
Chairman Tom Winters said the commission likely will avoid property tax increases, which means spending cuts. If the county makes no spending changes and continues with planned programs, its deficit would grow to more than $16 million by 2009, Chronis said.
Last year Sedgwick County cut its budget twice, laid off 93 employees, and increased ambulance and park fees for budget cuts of nearly $11 million.
The amount of sales tax collected is expected to dip to $19.4 million next year - $2.25 million less than the county received in 2001. Lower consumer spending, the slow economy, and the growing popularity of Internet shopping should contribute to the drop, Chronis said.
