Wichita Proposes Stormwater Utility Fee Increase

Wichita business owners may soon face a 30-cent monthly fee hike to support increased ditch maintenance.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Utilities

Wichita Proposes Stormwater Utility Fee Increase

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Do you support increasing monthly utility fees to address local maintenance backlogs in your area?

Wichita Public Works has proposed a 30-cent monthly increase to the city's stormwater utility fee to address a significant maintenance backlog. The Wichita City Council is expected to vote on the proposal this December, with implementation scheduled for next year.

Why it matters

The proposal aims to expand in-house ditch maintenance capacity as the current volume of work consistently outpaces the city's ability to respond to incoming requests. This adjustment follows a 15-cent fee increase already implemented earlier this year to address system pressures.

The city currently faces 400 outstanding ditch maintenance requests, handling only 5 to 7 per year despite receiving 15 new ones annually. The proposed 30-cent fee increase follows a 15-cent hike approved earlier this year.

The players

Wichita Public Works

The municipal department responsible for maintaining city infrastructure, including drainage and ditch systems.

Wichita City Council

The local governing body responsible for setting utility rates and approving departmental budget requests.

The details

Wichita currently manages ditch maintenance using in-house staff, but the existing workforce only resolves a fraction of the annual volume. If approved, the additional fee revenue is projected to scale operations to resolve 60 maintenance requests per year, helping to slowly clear the massive backlog of 400 requests currently on file.

Earlier this year: The city council approved a 15-cent stormwater fee increase.
December: The city council is scheduled to vote on the new 30-cent fee proposal.
Next year: The requested fee increase would take effect if approved.

Market Landscape

This proposal follows a common trend of municipalities adjusting utility rates to meet the Clean Water Act's stormwater management requirements. It marks a significant shift from earlier attempts to manage infrastructure maintenance under previous budgetary constraints.

Operators in Wichita should prepare for a modest increase in monthly utility overhead beginning next year if the proposal passes. Business owners with significant property footprints should verify their specific stormwater utility billing classification to project the exact impact on operating expenses.

The takeaway

The city is attempting to close a massive service gap that leaves hundreds of maintenance requests unaddressed annually. Business owners should monitor the December council vote to adjust their facility expense budgets accordingly for the upcoming fiscal year.