At its March 24, 2025 meeting, the Maize City Council approved a resolution to place a 1% citywide retailers’ sales tax on the ballot for the August 5, 2025 Primary Election. If approved, this sales tax would be in effect for 10 years, from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2035.

What is a 1% sales tax?

A 1% sales tax means you pay an extra penny for every dollar spent on taxable items. For example, a $10 purchase would include 10 cents in sales tax.

Who pays it?

The sales tax is paid by the buyer at the time of purchase—so anyone shopping or dining in Maize, whether they live here or not, helps contribute to the city’s infrastructure and services.

What does 1% do for Maize?

The proposed sales would focus revenue towards the following uses:

• 85% Street and Sidewalk Infrastructure

Maintenance, repairs, improvements, and associated drainage projects.

• 15% Property Tax Relief

Specifically designated to help reduce pressure of property taxes for residents.

Why a sales tax?

The proposal is rooted in community feedback gathered through a recent survey and focus groups:

• 97% say Maize is safe, and 93% value our school district.
• 83% feel Maize is well-maintained.
• 86% expect to stay in Maize for at least the next five years.

When asked about infrastructure priorities, over 80% of respondents supported widening 119th and modernizing Tyler Road.

When it came to funding options, 68% favored a 1-cent sales tax as the most reasonable path forward.

Residents want investment—but they want it to be measured and responsible.

Key Proposed Projects include:

• 119th Street (29th to 45th) Widening, Signalized Intersection & Sidewalk - $12 million
• 45th & Tyler Corridor Traffic Flow Enhancements - $28 million
• Other essential neighborhood street & sidewalk projects - $1 million

A More Equitable Way to Fund Infrastructure

Unlike property taxes, a sales tax is shared by everyone who uses Maize’s infrastructure—residents, visitors, commuters, and shoppers.

In fact, 86% of shoppers at Maize’s largest retailers live outside the city limits. This means a significant portion of sales tax revenue would come from non-residents, helping maintain roads without overburdening Maize homeowners.

Easing the Property Tax Burden

We’ve also heard your concerns about rising property taxes. That’s why 15% of the sales tax revenue will directly support property tax relief, helping reduce future increases while still investing in much-needed infrastructure improvements.

Without this sales tax, future street and drainage projects would likely require higher property taxes or be delayed due to lack of funding.

A balance of our revenue source funding approach will helps keep Maize affordable for homeowners.

Ballot Language

Below is the exact wording voters will see on the ballot: 

Shall the City of Maize, Kansas be authorized to levy a one percent (1.0%) City-wide retailers' sales tax, with (1) 85% of such tax to be applied to pay the costs of maintenance, repair and improvements to streets and sidewalks and any related drainage improvements in the City, (2) 15% of such tax to be applied to reduce ad valorem property taxes in the City, and with collection of such sales tax to commence on January  1, 2026, and to expire on December 31, 2036?

• A “Yes” vote supports the proposed 1% sales tax.
• A “No” vote opposes the sales tax.

If you are a registered voter living within the Maize city limits, this question will appear on your primary election ballot.

Election Timeline:

July 15, 2025 – Last day to register or update your voter registration information.

July 16, 2025 – Advance Voting by mail begins.

July 21, 2025 – Advance in-person voting begins at Sedgwick County Election Office (8 AM – 5 PM)

July 31, 2025 – Advance in-person voting begins at all satellite locations. You are able to vote at any satellite location during advance voting. (10am-6pm)

August 5, 2025 – 2025 Primary Election! Polls are open from 7:00am-7:00pm. You must vote at your assigned polling location.