Bel Aire meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Bel Aire eyes Skyview at Webb infrastructure bids; council set property tax hearing and $1.5M appropriations

Bel Aire's City Council has a busy week ahead, with bids for the Skyview at Webb infrastructure project and 45th Street improvements on the July 21 agenda. Meanwhile, recent meetings covered the 2027 budget, a property tax public hearing date, and a zoning variance request.

City Council — July 7

The council's July 7 agenda included an appropriations ordinance totaling $1,533,157.08 (Ordinance No. 26-12) and a resolution to set a public hearing for September 1, 2026 on the city's intent to levy a property tax exceeding the revenue neutral rate. Kansas law requires cities that plan to collect more property tax revenue than the prior year to hold a public hearing and notify taxpayers.

Also on the agenda: Change Order No. 2 for the Multi-Use Path on East 53rd Street, which would decrease the contract by $87,582.75; a donation to Friends of McConnell in a range between $500 and $5,000; and an agreement with The Arnold Group for a classification and compensation study at $16,560. Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published, so it is not confirmed which items were approved.

City Council Workshop — July 14

The council held its fourth 2027 budget workshop, focusing on utility funds. Members also reviewed a draft Comprehensive Financial Policy and a draft Bel Aire Purchasing Policy. No binding votes were scheduled at the workshop. Minutes are not yet published.

Board of Zoning Appeals — July 9

The Board of Zoning Appeals considered VAR-26-02, a variance request for a side yard setback encroachment for a parking surface at 4761 N. Battin. The board could grant, grant with modifications, disapprove, or table the request. The outcome is not yet confirmed because minutes have not been published.

Planning Commission — July 9

The Planning Commission held a procedural meeting with no zoning cases submitted and no pending agenda items. The commission was set to approve June 11, 2026 minutes and announce a Zoning Code Updates Workshop on July 14. The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for August 13, 2026.

Utility Advisory Committee — July 8

The committee discussed a field trip to the new Wichita Water Treatment Plant, a memorial for Art Tenbrink, and the August 2026 "Did You Know?" feature. A rainfall report showed Bel Aire at 17.4 inches, 0.5 inches below average. Upcoming community events noted: Fall Curbside Clean-up on October 3 and the Bel Aire Fall Festival on October 17. No binding votes or financial decisions were scheduled.

Coming up

• **July 21 — City Council Meeting:** Bids for Skyview at Webb Phase 1 infrastructure (water, sewer, and street improvements) ranging from $1,163,439.80 to $1,676,760.00; Appropriations Ordinance No. 26-13 for $244,490.96; a resolution for 45th Street improvements and issuance of General Obligation Bonds; a land acquisition services agreement for 45th Street reconstruction from Oliver to Woodlawn Street; and an ordinance amending Chapter 17 of the City Code on Building Code provisions.
• **July 23 — Chisholm Creek Utility Authority:** Routine monthly meeting. Bel Aire governing body members will attend, but no binding city actions are listed.
• **July 27 — Tree Board:** Regularly scheduled meeting; agenda not yet published and expected 1–2 days before the meeting.

Bel Aire Council to Consider $1.53M Appropriations and Property Tax Hearing; Boards Hold Light Agendas

Bel Aire's City Council convened July 7 with a packed agenda, but minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes of votes are not yet confirmed. The most consequential items on the table were a $1,533,157.08 appropriations ordinance and a resolution setting a public hearing on the city's intent to levy a property tax exceeding the revenue neutral rate.

City Council — July 7

The Council was scheduled to consider several financial and project items:

• **Appropriations Ordinance No. 26-12**, totaling **$1,533,157.08**.
• A **resolution setting a public hearing for September 1, 2026** on the city's intent to levy a property tax exceeding the revenue neutral rate.
• A **donation to Friends of McConnell** in an amount between **$500 and $5,000**.
• **Change Order No. 2** decreasing the Multi-Use Path on East 53rd Street contract by **$87,582.75**.
• An **agreement with The Arnold Group** for a classification and compensation study at **$16,560**.

Because only the agenda is available and minutes have not been published, it is not yet confirmed which items passed, were modified, or were tabled. Residents should watch for the published minutes to see how the Council voted.

Utility Advisory Committee — July 8

The Utility Advisory Committee met with no binding votes or financial decisions scheduled. Discussion items included a field trip to the new Wichita Water Treatment Plant, a memorial for Art Tenbrink, and the August 2026 "Did You Know?" feature.

A rainfall report listed Bel Aire at 17.4 inches, which is 0.5 inches below average. Upcoming community events noted on the agenda include the Fall Curbside Clean-up on October 3 and the Bel Aire Fall Festival on October 17.

Planning Commission — July 9

The Planning Commission held a procedural meeting with no zoning cases submitted and no pending agenda items. The commission was set to approve minutes from its June 11, 2026 meeting and set its next meeting for August 13, 2026. Announcements included a Zoning Code Updates Workshop #1 on July 14 and a Board of Zoning Appeals meeting immediately following adjournment.

Board of Zoning Appeals — July 9

Meeting immediately after the Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals was scheduled to consider VAR-26-02, a proposed variance to allow a side yard setback encroachment for a parking surface at 4761 N. Battin. The board could grant the variance, grant it with modifications, disapprove it, or table the request. No other substantive items were listed. The outcome is not yet confirmed pending published minutes.

Coming Up

• **July 14 — City Council Workshop:** The Council will hold **2027 Budget Workshop #4**, focusing on utility funds, and will review a draft Comprehensive Financial Policy and a draft Bel Aire Purchasing Policy.
• **July 23 — Chisholm Creek Utility Authority:** A routine monthly meeting. Bel Aire governing body members will attend, but no binding city action is scheduled.
• **July 27 — Tree Board:** Regularly scheduled meeting; the agenda had not been published as of this roundup and is expected to be posted one to two days before the meeting.

Bel Aire Council to Consider Property Tax Hearing, $1.5M Appropriation

No binding decisions were made at Bel Aire city meetings over the past two weeks, but the City Council is set to take up several significant items at its July 7 meeting, including a resolution to set a public hearing on exceeding the revenue neutral property tax rate and a $1.53 million appropriations ordinance.

Recent Meetings

Tree Board (June 22) – The Tree Board met to consider approving minutes from April 26, 2026, conduct an annual review of by-laws (tabled from prior meetings), and hear from guest Deb Appel on improving interaction with the city. Member reports on communications, plaques, clean-up events, and recreation engagement were also planned. No votes were taken, as the meeting was agenda-only and minutes were not yet published.

Chisholm Creek Utility Authority (June 25) – Bel Aire governing body members attended the regular monthly CCUA meeting. The agenda contained only procedural boilerplate with no specific items for decision or discussion, and no binding action on city business was taken.

Upcoming: City Council (July 7)

The council will consider a resolution to set a public hearing for September 1, 2026, on the city’s intent to levy a property tax that exceeds the revenue neutral rate. They will also vote on Appropriations Ordinance No. 26-12 for $1,533,157.08. Other items include:

• Change Order No. 2, decreasing the Multi-Use Path on East 53rd Street contract by $87,582.75.
• An agreement with The Arnold Group for a classification and compensation study at $16,560.
• A donation to Friends of McConnell in an amount between $500 and $5,000.
• Ratification of change orders.

Other Upcoming Meetings

Utility Advisory Committee (July 8) – The committee will discuss a field trip to the new Wichita Water Treatment Plant, a memorial for Art Tenbrink, and the August 2026 "Did You Know?" feature. A rainfall report shows Bel Aire received 17.4 inches, 0.5 inches below average. Upcoming events include the Fall Curbside Clean-up on October 3 and the Bel Aire Fall Festival on October 17. No binding votes or financial decisions are scheduled.

Planning Commission (July 9) – This meeting is procedural with no substantive cases or decisions. The commission will approve minutes from June 11, 2026, set the next meeting date for August 13, and hear announcements including a zoning code workshop on July 14. No cases are submitted for Planning Commission Business.

Board of Zoning Appeals (July 9, immediately following Planning Commission) – The board will consider VAR-26-02, a variance for a side yard setback encroachment to allow a parking surface at 4761 N. Battin. The board may grant, grant with modifications, disapprove, or table the request.

Coming Up

• **July 7** – City Council Meeting (7:00 p.m., City Hall)
• **July 8** – Utility Advisory Committee
• **July 9** – Planning Commission, followed by Board of Zoning Appeals
• **July 14** – Zoning Code Updates Workshop #1